PITMAN'S 
Twentieth    Century 

BUSINESS  DICTATION, 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


PITMAN'S 


BUSINESS  .  . 
DICTATION  BOOK  .  . 

OF 

Business  Letters,  Legal  Documents, 
Miscellaneous  Work. 


A    COMPLETE    MANUAL    OF    DICTATION    FOR    THE    USE    OF 
SCHOOLS,    COLLEGES,    TEACHERS,    LAW    STENOGRAPHERS,    AND   STUDENTS   OF 

SHORTHAND    AND    TYPEWRITING  ; 

WITH    CHAPTERS    ON    SPELLING,    PUNCTUATION,    AND    CAPITALIZATION, 
AND    MATTER    COUNTED    FOR    SPEED    PRACTICE. 


FOURTH    KDITION.       REVISED   AND   ENLARGED. 

NEW    YORK  : 

ISAAC    PITMAN    &    SONS,    THE    PHONOGRAPHIC    DEPOT, 

3  i  UNION  SQUARE 

1904 


PREFACE 


CONTENTS. 


PART   1. 


BUSINESS  DICTATION 

Subjects  :  —            PAGE 

PAGE 

Advertising 

5 

Furniture 

56 

Agents 

13 

Groceries 

59 

Automobile 

16 

Hardware 

61 

Bicycle     ... 

18 

Hotels      ... 

66 

Boiler  Appliances... 

22 

Investments     . 

69 

Bookbinding 

25 

Legal 

70 

Builders  ... 

26 

Life  Insurance 

74 

Collection 

28 

Lumber   ... 

79 

Copying  ... 

30 

Municipal 

Si 

Cotton      ... 

31 

Paper  and  Envelopes 

83 

Desks 

35 

Patents   and    Trade 

Drug 

38 

Marks  ... 

86 

Dry  Goods 

40 

Patent  Foods 

88 

Electrical 

42 

Pensions... 

9i 

Express   ... 

45 

Pianos 

92 

Financial  Standing 

49 

Pottery     ... 

93 

Fire  Insurance 

5° 

Printing    and      En- 

Flour and  Feed 

54 

graving 

97 

PART   11. 

LEGAL  FORMS 


Produce  Commission  102 

Printing  Material    ...  105 

Publishing...             ...  107 

Railroad     ...             ...  114 

Real  Estate               ...  121 

Recommendations  ...  127 

Sewing  Machines    ...  130 

Silks    *       ...             ...  131 

Stereopticons           ...  133 

Stocks  and  Bonds  ...  137 

Store  Fixtures          ...  141 

Tobacco     ...             ...  143 

Typewriters              ...  144 

Wines  and  Liquors...  146 

Wood  Finishing      ...  148 

Wool          ...             ...  153 

Miscellaneous          ...  155 


171 


Class  I. — Miscellaneous  Legal  Documents. 

Class  II. — Legal  Papers  in  Actions. 

Class  III. — Law  Stenographer's  Transcripts. 

MISCELLANEOUS  SELECTIONS  ..  ..  ,.  ,.211 

Monroe  Doctrine.  The  Right  to  Acquire  Territory.  Government  and 
Currency.  Lincoln's  Inaugural  Address.  Washington's  Inaugural  Address. 
Washington's  Farewell  Address.  True  Eloquence.  On  Literature  and  Liberty. 
The  Power  of  Little  Things.  Uncertainties  of  Fortune.  Study.  Character  in 
Handwriting.  The  Wonders  of  a  Watch.  The  Philippine  Policy  End  of  the 
Century  Controversy.  Paper  Making.  Trusts.  Punctuality.  Conciseness. 
Character  in  Business.  Pens.  Patents  and  Copyrights.  Some  Reasons  for 
Learning  Phonography.  Mis-Hearing.  Our  Army.  Opportunities  in  the  Civil 
Service. 

SHORT  TALKS  WITH  THE  AMANUENSIS    ..  ..  ..    242 

The  First  Situation.  On  Entering  a  Situation.  The  Shorthand  Writer's 
Vocabulary.  Things  that  Pay.  The  Essential  Thing.  Punctuation. 

PRACTICAL  TALKS     . .  . .  . .  . .  . .    249 

Study  should  have  a  Single  Purpose.  The  Great  Test  Question.  Self  Confi- 
dence. The  Miracle.  Working  Passion.  Stick  to  a  Thing.  Choosing  an 
Occupation.  The  Race  to  the  Plodder.  Why  Many  Fail  to  Obtain  and  Hold 
Good  Positions.  Young  Men  and  their  Chances.  Character  the  Test  of  a  Man. 
The  Triumphs  of  Enthusiasm.  Don't  Wait  for  your  Opportunity.  Learn  to 
Expect  a  Great  Deal  of  Life. 


APPENDIX. 
SPELLING.. 
PUNCTUATION 
CAPITAL  LETTERS 
ABBREVIATIONS  FOR  STATES  AND  TERRITORIES 


264 
266 
271 


PREFACE. 

"PITMAN'S  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  BUSINESS  DICTATION  BOOK"  is 
designed  to  fill  a  want  that  has  existed  for  some  considerable  time  for 
a  practical  book  of  dictation  selections  at  a  popular  price. 

PART  I.  contains  a  varied  collection  of  actual  letters  representing 
some  fifty  different  lines  of  business,  a  collection  such  as  will  be  appre- 
ciated by  the  teacher  and  student  who  maintain  that  such  matter  is 
the  "essential  thing"  in  the  preparation  of  stenographers  for  office 
positions. 

PART  II.  contains  a  selection  of  Legal  Forms  sufficient  to  give 
the  student  an  idea  of  what  he  may  meet  with  in  a  law  office,  and  a 
well  chosen  variety  of  selections  from  speeches,  essays,  and  the  pens 
of  distinguished  writers,  calculated  not  only  to  add  to  the  student's 
vocabulary  but  also  to  enrich-  and  enlarge  his  store  of  facts,  enthusiasm 
co  and  ambition,  just  at  the  time  he  most  needs  it,  on  the  eve  of  his  exit 

uj    from  the  school  into  the  business  world. 
tn 

•£  NOTE    TO    THIRD    EDITION. 

In  this  revision  the  forms  of  Part  II.  have  been  chosen  with  much 

3    care,  only  such  matter  as  is  useful  to  amanuensis  and  law  stenographer 

having  been  admitted.     The  special  value  of  this  must  be  apparent,  when 

it  is  remembered  that  many  legal  documents  are  seldom,  if  ever,  dictated 

?*"     to  the  stenographer,  but  are  prepared  in  longhand  upon  printed  blanks 

IO     provided  for  the  purpose. 

z 

T  Except  names  of  persons  and  places,  most  of  the  forms  are   exact 

copies  of  papers  which  have  been  used  by  the  author  in  his  practice  as  a 
lawyer  and  court  reporter.     These  may  be  divided  into,  and  are  here  shown 
i     in  three  classes,  and  in  the  following  order,  viz.  : — 

Class  I.     Miscellaneous  Documents  not  connected  with  litigation. 
Class  II      Papers  used  hi  actions  and  special  proceedings ;  i.e.,  law  suits. 
Class  III.    Transcripts  of  testimony  of  law  and  court  reporters. 

The  explanatory  foot-notes  should  prove  helpful  to  the  stenographer 
seeking  familiarity  with  law  language.  ^^ 


NOW  READY. 

"  Business  Correspondence  in  Shorthand  No.  3." 

This  work  forms  a  shorthand  key  to  pages 
i  to  22  (inclusive)  of  the  letters  in  the  "  2Oth 
Century  Dictation  Book  and  Legal  Forms." 
Beautiiully  engraved  in  Isaac  Pitman  short- 
hand ;  40  pages  and  cover  ;  price  250.  post-paid. 

452254 


Ellfcabethport,    fl.J. 

January  10,    1901 . 

Mr.    John  VVananiakar, 

Mew  York,    N.Y 
Dear   Sir: 

Replying  to   your  favor   of   January   8th,    we   are    sending  you 
today  under   separate    cover   our  catalogue   and  price    list    of  Elec- 
tric  Vehicles. 

TOe   advantages   of  electricity  orer   steam  as   a  motive   power 
are   touched   upon   in  eur   catalogue.        It    is   not    too  mucli  to   say 
that   every  point   which  may  be   considered   as  an   advantage   is   em- 
bodied  in   the  electric   system,    aaya   the   one    itom  of   unlimited 
radius . 

Our  new  electric   vehicles   ara    capable    of  making  between   35 
and    40  miles   on  each   complete    charge   of   the   batteries,    and   if 
your   requirements   can  be  met   with   this  mllaaga,    the   electric 
vehicle    is.    without    question,    the  most   desirable. 

We    aha-11  produce    very   shortly   vehicles   of   tha   gasoline    sys- 
tem,   and   a    little   later   on   steam  will  bs   taken  up. 

'//e   do    this,    recognizing  the    large    field   for  vehicles  .of 
great    radius  for   across   country  work  and   touring,    and   also  bo- 
cause   vehicles   of   the    steam  or   gasoline   type    can  be  built   at 
about    25ft    less    cost. 

Any   further   information   not   contained    in  our   catalogue 
will  be    cheerfully  furnished   upon  request.    We    are, 
Yours   very   truly, 

THE'RIXBR  MOTOR   VEHICLE    CO. 

SPECIAL  NOTICE.— In  the  above  letter  the  address  and  signature  have 
been  added,  to  show  the  correct  form  of  setting  out.  With  the  object  of  saving 
space  and  of  making  room  for  more  dictation  matter,  the  remaining  letters 'are 
somewhat  abbreviated. 


IPITIM:  JOISTS 

Twentieth  Century  Business  Dictation  Book, 

PART    I. 
BUSINESS     DICTATION. 


Advertising   Correspondence. 

Messrs.  PFAUSON  &  Co., 
N.  Y.  City. 

Gentlemen  :  Like  most  advertisers,  we  presume  you  are 
\villing  to  consider  a  new  avenue  to  publicity — provided  the 
way  is  made  plain  and  results  are  at.  the  other  end.  "Dunn's 
Magazine "  is  a  new  channel  between  you  and  purchasing 
people,  upon  which  you  may  safely  venture.  You  will  only 
repeat  the  economical  results  achieved  by  all  of  the  adver- 
tisers in  our  English  edition — now  almost  300,000  monthly 
circulation.  The  first  number  of  the  American  edition 
appears  July  i,  Vol.  VI.,  No.  i.  It  is  in  no  sense  experi- 
mental, as  the  contents  in  "  Dunn's  "  has  long  been  the  back- 
bone of  one  of  our  biggest  ten-cent  magazines.  "  Dunn's  " 
will  have  the  grown-up,  finished  appearance  of  a  magazine 
made  by  men  who  know  their  business.  It  is  only  made  a 
ten-center  because  we  mean  to  have  a  half-million  circulation. 
We  begin  with  50,000. 

If  you  are  looking  for  new  buyers,  the  introductory  pro- 
position (enclosed)  should  interest  you. 

Yours  truly, 


Messrs.  FLINN  BROS., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  mailing  you  under  separate  cover  a 
sample  copy  of  "  Learning  by  Doing,"  an  educational  journal 
which  occupies -an  entirely  new  place  in  the  educational  field. 

Having  by  our  publications  practically  revolutionized  the 
method  of  teaching  Book-keeping  and  Business  Practice  in 
commercial  colleges  throughout  this  country,  the  requests 
have  been  numerous  that  the  same  or  similar  methods  be 


6  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

applied  to  our  common  schools.  In  answer  to  some  of  these 
requests  and  the  urgent  need  of  such  a  journal,  we  have 
established  this  paper.  The  shams  and  false  methods  so 
prevalent  will  be  pointed  out  and  the  remedy  set  forth. 

We  are  starting  out  with  a  circulation  of  50,000  copies  ; 
our  subscribers  being  teachers,  superintendents,  members  of 
boards  of  education,  school  trustees,  and  school  officers  of 
every  description. 

We  are  soliciting  a  limited  amount  of  advertising  such  as 
is  suitable  for  the  field  this  paper  occupies,  and  would  be 
pleased  to  contract  with  you  for  space.  We  enclose  rate  card 
and  contracts,  and  know  that  we  can  make  this  of  value  to 
you,  the  high  value  of  the  paper  insuring  its  preservation 
through  the  year  by  its  readers. 

We  earnestly  request  you  to  give  this  matter  your  immedi- 
ate attention  in  order  that  we  may  have  your  copy  in  time  for 
our  October  issue. 

Yours  very  sincerely,  (22S} 

Messrs.  PULLMAN  &  Co., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  The  next  two  months — May  and  June — are 
important  ones  with  us.  Beside  going  to  our  regular  sub- 
scribers, extras  will  be  printed  to  be  used  at  the  various 
teachers'  institutes  and  conventions  throughout  the  country 
the  coming  spring  and  summer  months.  There  are  about 
3,000  such  assemblies,  and  it  is  our  purpose  to  reach  as  many 
of  these  as  possible  through  agents  who  will  handle  our 
paper. 

We  solicit  your  advertisement  at  this  time  feeling  sure  you 
will  reap  good  results  if  you  will  place  one  with  us  for  these 
two  months.  We  offer  you  space  at  our  regular  rate, 
charging  you  nothing  for  the  extra  copies.  I  think  you 
will  agree  with  us  that  they  are  moderately  low  in  view 
of  our  large  and  rapidly  increasing  circulation — nearly  8,000. 

We  need  not  repeat  to  you  that  two-thirds  of  our  circu- 
lation is  perhaps  in  this  State  and  Ohio,  and  the  balance 
scattered  throughout  the  West.  Sample  copy  of  our  paper 
mailed  you  to-day. 

Hoping  to  have  your  esteemed  order,  I  am, 

Yours  very  truly, 

(185) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  7 

Mr.  ROBERT  D.  ANDREWS, 
Westchester,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  We  have  your  favor  of  the  ioth  inst.,  and  do  not 
feel  that  you  should  be  over  anxious  about  your  advertise- 
ment in  "The  Age."  At  the  time  you  wrote  the  letter,  it 
would  hardly  be  supposed  that  you  would  hear  from  your 
advertisement  at  that  date. 

We  trust  that  before  the  force  of  the  April  i»ue  is 
expended  you  may  be  more  successful. 

We  believe  that  your  advertisement  is  in  a  most  suitable 
medium,  and  that  the  continued  use  of  it  will  bring  satisfactory 
results. 

We  would  be  pleased  to  hear  from  you  in  this  connection 
at  any  time. 

Yours  very  truly,  ( 1 1 2 ) 


Messrs.  JAMES  S.  PIERSON  &  Co., 
Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  During  the  past  eleven  years  it  has  been  my 
duty  and  pleasure  to  put  before  you  in  the  most  convincing 
and  seductive  way  possible  the  advantages  to  be  derived 
from  advertising  in  "The  Book-Keeper."  I  have  endeavored 
to  base  my  claims  upon  reason,  and  to  state  them  as  temper- 
ately as  circumstances  and  my  own  condition  of  health  would 
permit.  Perhaps  I  have  succeeded — I  trust  so. 

Now,  however,  I  have  no  claim  to  make ;  no  theories  to 
advance  ;  no  reason  "  why  "  to  offer.  I  have  only  to  submit 
to  you  the  evidence  of  those  of  my  advertisers  who  have  used 
"  The  Book-Keeper  "  during  the  past  several  years,  and  testi- 
mony of  their  actual  experiences.  I  submit  it  all  to  you 
without  argument. 

I  believe  there  is  nothing  more  for  me  to  add  except  to 
express  in  advance  the  pleasure  it  would  afford  me  to  receive 
your  early  acknowledgment  of  the  testimony.  I  might  also 
add  that,  if  you  are  not  already  an  advertiser  in  ''The  Book- 
Keeper,"  it  would  afford  me  great  pleasure  to — but  that  is 
another  story. 

Yours  truly,  (191) 


8  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

THE  JONES  PUBLISHING  Co., 

Trenton,  N.  J. 

Gentlemen:  There  are  three  points  in  regard  to  "Current 
Literature "  that  are  worthy  of  the  consideration  of  every 
prudent  advertiser  : 

1.  Its   subscription    price    is   $3.00   per    year,  and   conse- 
quently  its    circulation    is   confined    to   the    intelligent   and 
well-to-do. 

2.  Many  improvements  have  been  made  in   the  magazine 
during  1899.     More  will  be  made  during  1900.     Its  circulation 
is  growing.     It  is  confidently  believed  that  the  average  circu- 
lation of  40,000  for  1899  will  be  fifty  per  cent,  larger  for  the 
twelve  months  of  1900. 

3.  Its  advertising  rate  is   $70   per  page,  or  20  cents,   per 
agate  line — a  lower  rate,  line  for  line,  than  offered  by  any  of 
even  the  ten  cent,  magazines. 

We  enclose  you  an  estimate  of  your  advertisement  which  is 
appearing  elsewhere,  and  hope  you  will  give  the  matter  con- 
sideration. Order  and  copy  should  reach  us  by  September  14, 
for  the  October  issue. 

Very  truly  yours,  (155) 

Messrs.  JONES  &  Co., 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Gentlemen  :  We  desire  to  express  to  you  our  entire  satis- 
faction with  the  results  obtained  from  our  advertisement  in 
your  paper,  on  the  Standard  Dripless  Tea  and  Coffee  Strainer. 

We  will  be  frank  in  stating  that  when  solicited  for  this 
advertisement  in  your  publication,  we  had  grave  doubts  as  to 
its  being  a  proper  or  paying  medium  for  a  household  article 
of  this  nature,  supposing  your  journal  to  be  published  more 
in  the  interest  of  mechanical  science  and  manufacture,  thereby 
failing  to  reach  the  class  of  people  who  would  have  a  use  for 
our  article,  but  returns  received  soon  eliminated  all  such 
prejudices. 

We  would  state  to  you  that  during  the  first  month,  we 
received  inquiries  from  Scotland,  Hamburg,  Antwerp,  and 
India,  stating  they  saw  our  advertisement  in  your  magazine. 

Results  from  these  inquiries  have  brought  us  a  satisfactory 
foreign  business.  The  local  results  from  this  advertisement 
have  also  been  very  satisfactory. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  () 

Messrs.  A.  F.  THOMPSON  &  Co., 
Bath,  Me. 

Gentlemen:  Will  you  not  send  us  an  order  for  the  insertion 
of  the  enclosed  advertisement  in  the  "American  Boy  "  ?  Y,  >u 
can  send  it  to  us  direct,  or  through  your  agency  (if  yi>u 
employ  one),  just  as  you  desire.  If  your  business  is  placed 
by  an  agency,  we  would  be  glad  to  have  you  ask  them  what 
they  think  of  the  "  American  Boy  "  as  an  advertising  medium, 
and  of  its  phenomenal  success  in  its  subscription  department. 

Please  remember  that  we  are  spending  thousands  of  dollars 
for  advertising  to  secure  subscriptions,  and  subscriptions 
secured  in  this  way  are  of  the  greatest  value  to  the 
advertiser,  because  the  subscribers  are  used  to  answering 
advertisements.  At  the  present  increase  in  circulation  it 
will  be  necessary  soon  to  advance  rates,  and  \ve  will  be  glad 
to  have  your  order  for  space  at  once.  Rates  are  given  on 
rate  card  herewith. 

Yours  very  truly,  (156) 

Messrs.  I.  JENKINS'  SONS, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  We  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact 
that  this  is  the  season  of  the  year  when  all  large  advertisers 
are  placing  their  contracts  for  advertising  of  ail  kinds,  and, 
knowing  you  annually  spend  thousands  of  dollars  for  this 
purpose,  we  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  our  method  of 
reaching  the  desired  class  wanted  by  the  advertiser,  at.  a  cost 
of  one-fourth  of  that  now  entailed  by  advertising  in  the  daily 
press.  We  can  put  your  pamphlets  directly  in  the  hands  of 
parties  who  are  likely  to  be  of  the  most  benefit  to  you,  at 
$3.00  per  thousand,  any  kind.  We  think  you  will  agree  with 
us  that  this  is  a  very  liberal  offer,  and  we  trust  you  will  take 
advantage  of  it  and  let  us  hear  from  you  by  return  mail,  and 
oblige, 

Respectfully  yours,  (148) 

Mr.  LLOYD  A.  CARROLL, 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir :  Here  are  two  facts  that  you  cannot  help  knowing: 
First :  That  the  Cooper  Co.  have,  in  less  than  one  year,  and 

in    spite   of   the   unusually   hard   times,    made   the   greatest 

business  success  of  the  century. 


10  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DI(  TATION    BOOK. 

Second :  This  wonderful  building  of  trade  is  largely  the 
result  of  up-to-date  and  attractive  advertising. 

This  letter  is  written  just  to  tell  you  two  other  facts  that 
perhaps  you  do  not  know  : 

First :  The  man  who  is  responsible  for  all  this  good  pub- 
licity and  for  the  successful  advertising  ideas  of  this  concern, 
from  before  they  opened  to  the  present  time,  is  Chas.  F, 
Johnson. 

Second  :  The  same  man  is  ready  to  help  you  in  building  up 
your  business,  or  in  advising  you  how  to  go  about  building  it 
yourself. 

I  have  arranged  to  devote  a  large  part  of  my  time  in  the 
future  to  helping  other  merchants  or  manufacturers  attain 
success,  as  I  have  in  the  past  helped  the  Cooper  Co. 

I  am  not  only  an  advertiser,  but  an  all-round  business  man. 
I  understand  the  book-keeping,  the  business  management,  and 
all  other  details  and  systems  necessary  to  conducting  modern 
business.  It  is  not  theory  that  I  want  to  apply  to  your 
business,  but  fact  that  I  have  learned  through  long  years  of 
experience;  and  I  am  not  going  to  charge  you  an  unreason- 
able sum  for  it. 

No  matter  how  big  or  how  little  is  your  business,  no  matter 
whether  you  now  advertise  with  booklets,  circulars,  catalogues, 
in  the  newspapers,  magazines,  etc.,  or  not,  there  are  probably 
a  great  many  ways  in  which  I  can  assist  you. 

The  only  chance  to  find  out  whether  I  can  help  you  or  not, 
is  to  investigate.  That  will  cost  you  nothing.  If  you  are 
interested  enough  to  write  me,  I  will  be  interested  enough  to 
call  and  see  you  some  time  in  the  near  future. 

Yours  truly,  (320) 

Messrs.  C.  A.  JACKSON  &  SON, 
Baltimore,  Md. 

Gentlemen  :  Direct  newspaper  advertising  to  the  consumer, 
after  magazine  advertising  has  partially  prepared  the  way,  has 
often  resulted  most  successfully.  It  crystalizes  as  it  were  the 
general  good  of  the  magazine  work,  hastens  and  increases 
the  results.  We  write  to  ask  if  you  are  not  in  a  position  to 
cover  the  best  of  the  New  York  field  this  fall. 

Announcements  which  appear  in  the  magazines  month  after 
month  familiarize  many  persons  with  the  names  of  goods 
which  prove  very  saleable  when  offered  by  local  houses.  We 


BUSINESS    DICTATION".  1  I 

believe  a  large  number  of  buyers  can  be  influenced  by  adver- 
tising your  goods  with  names  and  addresses  of  retailers  in 
'•The  Evening  Post." 

Several  times,  within  the  past  few  months,  we  have  pre- 
pared reproductions  of  magazine  advertisements  for  use  in 
"  The  Evening  Post"  which  the  advertisers  have  used  to  their 
evident  satisfaction.  We  shall  be  glad  to  serve  you  in  a 
similar  way. 

Yours  very  truly,  (1(jo) 

Mr.  CLEMENT  C.  MORRIS, 

Newton,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir  :  You  wrote  us  last  April,  in  reply  to  ours  asking 
you  to  place  some  advertising,  to  the  effect  that  your  work  on 
some  specialities  necessarily  limited  your  expenditure  in  this 
direction  for  some  time.  We  write  to  ask  if  you  are  open  for 
the  consideration  of  the  subject  as  yet  ?  We  know  it  will  pay 
you  to  use  our  space  if  only  to  reach  our  Eastern  subscribers ; 
but  you  could  also  cultivate  the  trade  of  our  Western  readers 
for  some  of  your  specialities  to  good  advantage.  A  number 
of  prominent  firms  in  your  part  of  the  country  use  our  space 
largely,  as  will  be  seen  from  our  pages,  and  if  they  find  it 
profitable,  we  see  no  reason  why  you  should  not  experience  a 
like  result.  We  want  your  advertisement.  We  want  your 
advertisement,  principally,  for  the  cash  it  will  bring  us,  but 
also,  because  we  believe  it  will  pay  well,  as  it  has  done  others 
before  you.  Let  us  have  your  order  for  sa3<T  six  months' 
advertising  ;  it  will,  we  are  sure,  result  in  your  regretting  you 
had  not  given  us  an  opportunity  to  serve  you  before.  Await- 
ing your  reply,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (202) 

THE  LITTLEJOHN  Co., 

New  Hope,  Ky. 

Gentlemen  :  We  write  to  notify  you  that  the  term  for 
which  you  placed  an  advertisement  with  us  has  expired,  and 
we  enclose  bill  for  the  amount  due.  Permit  us  to  say,  how- 
ever, that  we  shall  be  pleased  to  have  your  order  for  the 
continuance  of  the  advertisement  for  a  longer  term  ;  and  in 
case  this  is  done  we  will  gladly  make  you  an  allowance,  so 
that  the  whole  term  may  be  covered  at  the  long  term  rate. 
Why  not  give  us  your  order  to  keep  it  in  for  a  year  at  least  ? 


12  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

You  may  thus  keep  the  readers  of  the  "Gazette"  familiar 
with  your  name  and  goods,  and  when  the  new  season  comes 
around  you  would  have  great  advantage  over  competitors  not 
constantly  advertising.  Spasmodic  advertising,  while  better 
than  none  at  all,  is  not  the  best  policy.  We  know  a  constant 
steady  effort  would  repay  you  well,  even  though  the  advertise- 
ment did  run  for  a  few  months  when  your  goods  were  out  of 
season.  Confident  that  an  investment  of  this  kind  would 
be  mutually  profitable,  and  hoping  to  receive  your  favorable 
response,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly, 

(192) 

Messrs.  J.  H.  LOVE  &  Co., 
Meriden,  Conn. 

Gentlemen  :  May  we  not  have  your  order  to  give  you  some 
assistance  in  placing  your  machinery  in  bakers'  and  con- 
fectioners' establishments  ?  There  is  a  large  and  growing 
use  oi  such  machinery  in  these  trades  to  which  our  journal 
is  devoted,  and  we  see  no  reason  why  we  should  not  be  able 
to  put  you  in  the  way  of  new  and  profitable  trade  among  our 
readers.  We  are  not  aware  that  anyone  has  attempted  to 
work  this  field  as  yet,  and  we  feel  sure  you  have  a  good 
opportunity  to  secure  good  results  from  advertising  with  us. 
We  send  you  a  copy  of  the  "  Gazette,"  and  trust  you  will 
give  it  careful  examination.  Let  us  have  your  order  for 
advertising  in  the  September  and  subsequent  numbers,  and 
see  what  we  can  do  for  you. 

Yours  truly,  (r45) 

Mr.  HAROLD  WHITE, 

Atlantic  Highlands,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  We  have  your  favor  of  the  i4th  inst.  asking 
for  sample  copy  of  the  "Tribune,"  and  rates  of  subscription, 
etc.  We  take  pleasure  in  complying  with  your  request  and 
mail  you  to-day  copy  of  our  September  issue,  and  inclose 
with  this  subscription  blank  and  circular  giving  the  opinions 
of  men  in  different  parts  of  the  country  as  to  the  usefulness 
of  our  journal  to  those  in  the  trades  to  which  it  is  devoted. 
We  shall  hope  to  receive  your  subscription  at  once,  believing 
that  you  cannot  afford  to  miss  the  amount  of  trade  information 
and  instruction  given  in  our  columns  each  month  for  the  small 
cost  of  subscription. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  I  } 

May  we  not  have  from  you  some  items  of  information 
concerning  your  business  and  the  trade  generally  in  your 
part  of  the  country?  In  this  way  you  can  help  to  make 
the  journal  more  interesting,  for  we  doubt  not  there  an 
many  of  our  readers  who  would  be  glad  to  see  occasional 
items  from  your  vicinity. 

Trusting  to  have  your  favorable  response,  and  that  the 
acquaintance  thus  begun  may  prove  mutually  advantageous, 
we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  ( i  q  i ) 

Messrs.  M.  J.  HAZEL  &  Co., 

Oxford,  Mass. 

Gentlemen  :  Yours  of  the  22d  inst.  duly  received.  We  beg 
to  thank  you  for  your  complimentaiy  words  concerning  our 
journal,  and  to  express  the  hope  that  very  soon  we  shall  have 
your  order  for  advertising.  We  have  no  doubt  whatever, 
that  the  expenditure  of  a  little  money  in  this  direction  would 
bring  you  new  business  which  would  far  more  than  com- 
pensate you  for  the  outlay.  We  know  we  can  place  you  in 
contact  with  men  you  are  not  likely  to  reach  in  an}-  other  way. 
Will  be  pleased  to  send  you  a  copy  of  our  journal  occasion- 
ally to  keep  you  in  mind  of  us,  and  shall  look  confidently  for 
an  order  from  you  before  very  long. 

With  best  wishes,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly, 

(130 

Agents. 
Mr.  R.  A.  THOMAS, 

South  Bend,  Ind. 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  receipt  of 
your  letter  of  the  26th  inst.,  and  find  the  general  conditions 
stated  by  you  satisfactory. 

I  shall  now  await  your  visit  in  June,  when  we  can  further 
discuss  the  business  in  view,  and  in  the  interval  shall  make 
arrangements  to  get  out  a  good  assortment  of  samples  for  the 
autumn,  so  that  you  may  have  them  in  sufficient  time  to  place 
before  your  buyers. 

Please  advise  me  when  you  have  fixed  the  exact  date  of 
your  arrival  here. 

Yours  very  truly,  (98) 


14  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  R.  A.  THOMAS, 

South  Bend,  Ind. 

Dear  Sir:  We  duly  received  your  favor  of  the  i5th  inst, 
and,  after  careful  consideration  of  the  contents,  we  are  favor- 
ably impressed  with  the  proposal  }'ou  make  us. 

We  have  already  been  in  treaty  with  several  firms,  but  at 
present  have  come  to  no  decision  in  the  matter.  However, 
if  terms  can  be  arranged,  we  think  we  should  like  you  to 
represent  us.  We  believe  you  have  good  connections  through- 
out the  trade,  and  it  seems  to  us  a  favorable  opportunity  to 
further  develop  the  business  which  we  have  been  doing  among 
the  class  of  buyers  you  mention  for  some  years  past. 

Of  course,  the  whole  matter  hinges  upon  the  question  of  the 
amount  of  commission  you  would  require  on  orders  obtained 
and  executed ;  and,  as  your  Mr.  Henry  Scott  intends  visiting 
Yonkers  in  a  fortnight's  time,  we  should  prefer  to  discuss  the 
various  points  with  him  personally,  instead  of  stating  general 
conditions  and  terms  which  would  probably  have  to  be  modi- 
fied, or  withdrawn,  after  an  interview. 

We  shall,  therefore,  await  Mr.  Scott's  call,  and  meanwhile, 
we  are, 

Yours  truly,  (186) 

Mr.  E.  A.  BOWMAN, 

Findlay,  Minn. 

Dear  Sir :  Referring  to  our  records  we  regret  to  find  that 
up  to  date  we  have  not  been  favored  with  any  of  your  orders 
for  wall  paper.  Agreeable  to  your  request,  we  sent  you  our 
full  line  of  samples  for  1900,  and  as  a  great  majority  of  our 
agents  are  sending  us  more  orders  this  year  than  ever  before 
we  are  at  a  loss  to  know  why  you  have  done  no  business. 
When  you  requested  our  samples  we  supposed  it  was  your 
intention  to  devote  a  fair  share  of  your  time  to  selling  our 
papers,  and  we  therefore  sent  you  the  agent's  outfit,  believing 
it  would  be  to  our  mutual  benefit  to  have  you  represent  us.^ 
As  the  complete  outfit,  together  with  advertising  matter  you 
received,  cost  us  considerably  more  than  $5.00  (not  including  j 
the  labor)  you  will  readily  see  that  we  cannot  afford  to  leave 
the  agency  in  your  hands  unless  you  are  in  a  position  to 
influence  a  fair  share  of  the  business  in  your  locality.  It  is 
not  our  disposition  to  write  fault-finding  letters,  but  we  are 
obliged  to  protect  our  interests. 


BUSINKSS    DICTATION.  ;; 

We  would  like  to  have  you  represent  us,  but  unless  you 
can  sell  a  fair  amount  of  our  goods  we  shall  feel  justified  in 
appointing  another  agent  in  }rour  town.  If  there  is  any  wall 
paper  to  be  sold  in  your  locality,  you  will  find  that  Alfred 
Potts  &  Co.'s  papers  are  the  best  known,  the  best  for  the 
money,  and  easier  to  sell  than  any  wall  papers  ever  manu- 
factured. We  believe,  however,  that  the  long-continued 
winter  weather  has  probably  affected  your  trade;  and,  as  the 
spring  season  is  now  with  us,  we  shall  hope  to  hear  from  y<  >u 
stating  that  the  immediate  prospects  for  business  are  good. 

Soliciting  an  early  reply,  we  are, 

Verv  truly  yours. 


Messrs.  A.  REDFERN, 

Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Dear  Sirs  :  In- reply  to  your  favor  of  the  51)1  inst.,  will  say 
that  we  think  you  are  laboring  under  a  misapprehension  as  to 
discount  allowed  on  the  purchases  of  Messrs.  Newton  «S:  Co., 
San  Francisco.  In  our  letter  of  March  3d,  we  stated  that  we 
could  not  allow  any  more  commissions,  as  we  had  made  new 
arrangements  in  your  state.  This  was  confirmed  in  our  letter 
of  April  i  ith,  when  we  remitted  for  credits  due  to  you.  We 
think  it  best  that  you  should  procure  your  goods  from  Messrs. 
Newton,  Hunter  &  Co.,  as  this  will  simplify  matters  very 
much,  as  they  order  in  large  quantities. 

Trusting  this  will  be  satisfactory,  we  are, 

Yours  truly, 

(122) 

Mr.  HORACE  GREEN, 

Hamilton,  Ont. 

Dear  Sir:  We  have  your  favor  of  May  i6th.  If  you  will 
give  us  a  list  of  the  towns  which  you  intend  visiting,  we  will 
look  into  the  matter  further. 

We  are  now  represented  by  two  salaried  salesmen  in 
Canada,  and  should  not  care  to  make  any  arrangement  which 
would  interfere  with  them.  Thanking  you  for  your  inquiry, 
we  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  (67) 


l6  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Automobile   Correspondence. 
Mr.  J.  C.  CARPENTER, 

Jackson,  W.  Va. 

Dear  Sir:  We  have  your  favor  of  recent  date  and  in  reply 
would  say  that  the  probabilities  are  that  not  one  automobile 
carriage  will  be  built  during  the  coming  season  where  ten 
will  be  required  to  supply  the  demand.  The  impression 
prevails  that  there  are  a  great  number  of  horseless  carriage 
factories  being  erected  and  that  the  output  will  be  a  large  one 
during  the  coming  season.  The  fact  remains,  that  there  are 
not  in  operation  in  the  United  States  at  this  time  factories 
capable  of  turning  out  twenty  machines  a  day  other  than  the 
Stanley  carriage  After  three  years  of  experiment  on  the 
part  of  the  Messrs.  Stanley,  and  nine  months  spent  in  the 
construction  of  a  factory,  we  are  only  now  in  a  position  to 
turn  out  carriages  on  a  considerable  scale. 

A  carefully  prepared  book  of  instructions  will  be  furnished 
with  each  carriage  sold,  and  it  is  possible  for  anyone  with 
some  mechanical  knowledge  to  master  the  handling  of  the 
Mobile  from  the  instructions  therein  given.  Unmechanical 
purchasers  living  at  a  distance  who  cannot  come  to  the 
factory  for  instructions  are  advised  to  secure  a  careful  and 
competent  engineer,  a  man  of  good  judgment,  and  likely  to  be 
thorough,  who  can  master  the  machine  and  then  instruct  the 
purchaser. 

Yours  truly,  (222) 

Mr.  M.  M.  MULLER, 

Evansville,  Ind. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  April  2oth, 
we  beg  to  say  that  the  "  Westchester  County  Model"  built  by 
the  Mobile  Company  of  America,  is  a  horseless  carriage 
weighing  less  than  five  hundred  pounds,  and  costing  but  six 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Compactly  built,  with  workman- 
ship of  the  finest  quality,  capable  of  traveling  twenty  miles  or 
more  an  hour  or  reducing  its  speed  so  that  it  can  take  its 
place  in  the  slowly  moving  and  stopping  line  of  travel  in  the 
great  cities,  it  is  operated  by  steam  under  circumstances 
which  render  it  absolutely  safe.  More  than  a  thousand 
Stanley  carriages  of  the  Massachusetts  model  are  now  in 
public  use,  and  there  has  never  been  a  single  boiler  accident. 
The  fuel  shuts  off  automatically  when  the  steam  reaches  one 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  17 

hundred  and  sixty  pounds.  There  is  a  safety-valve  which 
opens  at  one  hundred  and  seventy  pounds.  Each  boiler  is 
wound  with  piano-wire  and  tested  up  to  six  hundred  pounds 
pressure,  and  is  calculated  to  withstand  a  strain  up  to  thirty- 
five  hundred  pounds  pressure  to  the  square  inch. 

In  the  matter  of  comfort  the  Mobile  is  perfectly  smooth  in 
operation.  It  moves  without  a  jar  or  vibration  of  an}-  kind. 
When  in  motion,  the  products  of  combustion  are  carried 
underneath  the  carriage,  and  neither  heat  nor  odor  of  any 
kind  arises.  The  machinery  is  noiseless  except  in  climbing 
sti ft"  grades,  when  a  slight  puffing  is  audible,  but  nothing  in 
the  least  degree  objectionable. 

There  are  more  than  a  dozen  improvements  in  the  present 
carriage  over  the  Stanley  carriage  as  originally  put  out.  The 
first  and  most  important  of  these  is  in  the  engine.  The 
second  relates  to  the  gasoline  tank,  which  now  holds  double 
the  quantity  of  fuel  formerly  carried.  A  seamless  coppei 
tube,  very  strong  in  construction  and  elliptical  in  shape, 
secures  this  much  to  be  desired  result.  We  are, 

Very  truly  yours, 

(322) 
Mr.  JAMKS  RITTENHOUSE, 

New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Permission  is  hereby  granted  you  to  enter  upon 
and  pass  over  drives  of  the  Central  Park  with  electric  pleasure 
carriage  operated  by  an  experienced  motorman.  This  per- 
mission to  continue  revocable  at  any  time  at  the  pleasures  of 
the  Department,  and  subject  to  its  rules  and  regulations.  In 
accepting  this  permit  the  holder  agrees  to  exercise  the  greatest 
care  to  avoid  frightening  horses  on  the  drives  and  bridle 
paths,  or  causing  any  danger  or  annoyance. 

Yours  very  truly,  (84) 

Mr.  N.  E.  AITKIN, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  Replying  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  i2th 
inst.,  we  beg  to  say  that  electric  vehicles  have  many  advan- 
tages over  steam,  as  a  motive  power.  Among  these  may  be 
mentioned : 

Odorlessness. — The  motor  is  rotary,  and  therefore  free  from 
the  noise  and  vibration  of  reciprocating  engines.  It  is 
electric  and  free  from  noisy  exhausts. 

2  D.  B 


1 8  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Safety. — The  electric  pressure  is  too  low  to  give  a  shock. 
The  electric  parts  are  fully  protected  and  concealed. 
There  are  no  tanks  or  pipes  to  burst  under  pressure. 

Simplicity. — The  control  is  superior.  All  speeds  are  eco- 
nomical. It  is  self-starting.  No  engine  to  start  by  hand. 
No  box  of  clumsy  gears  for  change  of  speed.  No  water 
tank  to  freeze.  No  government  boiler  inspection.  No 
licensed  engineer.  Ladies  or  children  can  operate  it. 

Economy. — The  expenditure  of  energy  stops  with  the 
vehicle. ,  No  power  used  to  drive  an  engine  idly  or  to 
maintain  steam  pressure. 

Comfort. — Cleanliness,  freedom  from  noise,  vibration  and 
odor,  combine  to  make  the  electric  vehicle  the  most 
luxurious  of  all. 

More  specific  information  will  be  promptly  sent  if  you 
wish  it.  We  are,  dear  Sir, 

Yours  very  truly, 

(211) 

Bicycle  Correspondence. 

Mr.  S.  J.  TRISBY, 

Bathgate,  111. 

Dear  Sir :  We  beg  to  inform  you  that  we  are  now  prepared 
to  place  orders  in  hand  for  large  quantities  of  our  popular 
model  B  machine,  fitted  with  all  our  latest  improvements,  such 
as  our  patent  detachable  crank  and  chain  wheel,  double  chain- 
stays,  aluminum  hubs,  Dunlop  pneumatic  tires,  or  any  other 
approved  make,  our  patent  oil-retaining  bearings,  black 
enamel  only  (gold  lines  or  bronze  extra).  We  shall  be  pleased 
to  hear  that  you  will  be  able  to  place  an  order  with  us  for  the 
coming  season,  which,  we  are  sure,  will  be  an  extremely  busy 
one  for  the  trade. 

Yours  truly,  (I09) 

THE  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  BICYCLE  Co., 

Lewiston,  Me. 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  pleasure  in  advising  you  that  we  are 
introducing  many  radical  changes  and  improvements  in  all  of 
our  models,  many  of  them  to  both  the  chainless  and  chain 
types.  New  methods,  new  processes  and  advanced  know- 
ledge of  the  structural  qualities  of  materials  have  enabled  us 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  19 

to  build  our  machines  for  1900  much  lighter  than  those  of 
1899  without  sacrificing  any  element  of  strength  or  durability. 
The  difference  in  weights  is  especially  noticeable  in  the  chain- 
less  models.  Each  machine  weight  given  is  the  actual  weight 
of  the  model  equipped  with  saddle  and  pedals  ready  to  ride. 

Under  separate  cover  we  are  mailing  you  our  catalogue, 
and  we  trust  to  be  favored  with  your  orders. 

Yours  truty,  ( 1 2  5 ) 

Mr.  HENRY  H.  HOWLEY, 

Belding,  Mich. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  greatly  regret  to  return  you  the  enclosed 
order,  which  we  are  unable  to  accept  as  it  stands.  In  ours  of 
the  loth  inst.  we  stated  that  we  could  build  a  machine  to  the 
weight  you  required,  but  that  the  specification  would  have  to 
be  left  to  us.  We  should  have  to  insist  upon  building  to  our 
path-racer  standard  entirely,  merely  substituting  road-racing 
tires,  and  we  should  choose  our  own  gear  case,  which  would 
be  the  lightest  we  could  possibly  get.  We  could  not  under- 
take to  fit  the  brake  you  mention  to  the  machine  at  all  ;  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  we  would  very  much  rather  not  accept  the 
order  in  any  case.  Could  you  not  induce  your  customer  to 
conform  to  a  more  rational  standard  ?  We  are  quite  sure 
that  this  machine  will  only  give  dissatisfaction  to  him. 
Awaiting  your  reply,  we  are, 

Very  truly  \rours, 

('56) 

Mr.  JAMES  T.  POWERS, 

Cairo,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  3d  inst, 
we  beg  to  say  that  the  chief  advantage  of  the  Coaster  Brake 
is  that  it  enables  the  rider  to  stop  pedaling  on  down  grades, 
or  at  any  time  when  a  sufficient  degree  of  speed  has  been 
attained,  the  wheel  continuing  to  coast  along  while  the  feet 
are  held  stationary  on  the  pedals  at  any  convenient  position. 
We  have  experimented  for  many  months  with  coaster  brakes 
of  various  types  and  designs,  and  now  have  the  pleasure  of 
announcing  that  we  shall  be  able  to  supply  a  coaster  brake 
which  has  stood  the  most  exacting  tests  of  hard  usage  on 
rough  roads,  and  which  we  know  to  combine  effective  opera- 
tion with  great  durability.  The  clutch  in  the  rear  hub  is 
simple,  positive  in  action  and  designed  to  avoid  all  wedging 


20  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

of  the  parts  and  all  hurtful  shocks  in  their  engagement.  The 
brake  is  of  the  outside  type,  acting  upon  the  rear  tire.  A 
slight  backward  motion  of  the  pedal  from  any  position  throws 
back  the  oscillator  and  draws  the  brake  spoon  against  the  tire 
with  a  force  easily  graduated  and  controlled  according  to  the 
needs  of  the  situation.  Upon  relieving  the  backward  pres- 
sure, the  wheel  coasts  on  with  entire  freedom,  or  the  forward 
pedaling  may  be  resumed.  All  of  the  apparatus  except  the 
brake  spoon  and  its  connecting  rod  is  contained  in  the  rear  hub. 

The  Coaster  Brake  will  be  furnished  to  order  on  any  of  our 
wheels  for  $5.00  additional. 

Trusting  to  receive  your  order,  we  are, 

Very  truly  yours, 

(266) 

Messrs.  }.  M.  STOCKTON  &  Co., 
Willis,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  your  favor  in  regard  to  export 
prices,  we  beg  to  say  that  our  bicycles  are  now  regularly  sold 
in  all  the  civilized  countries  of  the  world.  The  prices  named 
in  our  catalogue  are  based  upon  the  equipment  which  best 
meets  the  requirement  of  American  riders.  As  the  require- 
ments of  the  riders  of  other  countries  are  different,  we  are 
obliged  to  place  special  prices  on  machines  equipped  for  the 
foreign  trade.  The  European  and  certain  other  foreign  prices 
are  necessarily  higher,  on  account  of  the  equipment  demanded, 
and  the  extra  cost  of  packing,  freight,  and  duty. 

We  offer  an  extensive  and  very  attractive  line  of  Juvenile 
machines  with  20,  24,  and  26-inch  wheels,  catalogue  of  which 
will  be  sent  on  application.  Address  our  Sundry  Department. 

Terms,  net  cash  with  order. 

With  every  order  full  shipping  instructions  should  be  given. 

Transportation  charges  are  always  to  be  paid  by  the 
purchaser. 

Our  branch  houses  and  stock  companies  have  been  made 
distributing  points  according  to  the  territory  in  which  they 
are  located.  Fully  equipped  repair  shops  will  be  found  at 
these  branches  and  companies,  the  addresses  of  which  are 
given  on  the  title  page  of  our  catalogue. 

Trusting  to  hear  from  you,  we  are, 

Very  truly  yours, 

(215) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  1\ 

Mr.  M.  W.  MILTON, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  letter  of  the  i2th  inst.,  \ve  arc 
sorry  to  learn  that  your  Chainless  Bicycle  is  can-  ing  you 
trouble,  and  we  recommend  you  to  take  it  to  our  New  York 
store  at  Cedar  Street.  We  have  a  thoroughly  equipped 
repair  shop  and  can  undoubtedly  overcome  the  trouble.  We 
will  write  them  in  regard  to  the  matter  so  that  there  may  be 
no  misunderstanding.  Of  course,  if  you  prefer  to  send  the 
machine  to  us  we  will  put  it  in  order  gratis.  As  far  as  we 
have  been  able  to  ascertain  by  experimenting,  the  1900  chain- 
less  will  give  the  best  satisfaction  of  any  chainless  machine 
we  have  yet  produced.  Wishing  you  the  best  success  in 
using  one  of  these,  we  are. 

Yours  truly, 


Mr.  R.  S.  CASEY, 

Racine,  Wis. 

Dear  Sir  :  With  reference  to  yours  of  yesterday  re  sundries, 
we  have  despatched  to  you,  per  American  Express,  brackets, 
six  complete  brakes  (fitted  with  rubber  spoon),  the  extra  long 
seat  pillar  for  Mr.  Vernon,  and  also  the  pair  of  chain  adjust- 
ments for  the  same  gentleman  in  exchange  for  those  returned 
faulty.  All  the  machines  we  have  on  order  for  you  are  now 
in  the  finishing  department,  and  we  hope  to  be  able  to  forward 
in  the  course  of  another  week  or  two. 

Yours  faithfully,  (91) 

THE  ARNOLD  BICYCLE  Co., 
Detroit,  Mich. 

Gentlemen  :  Have  the  American  wheels  handled  by  you 
given  thorough  satisfaction  ?  If  not,  are  you  sure  that  you 
have  secured  the  agency  of  a  really  high-class  bicycle,  one 
which  is  recognized  and  sold  as  such  in  the  United  States  ? 

It  is  a  fact  too  well  known  to  be  contradicted,  that  a  great 
many  American  bicycles  shipped  into  foreign  markets  have 
not  been  of  standard  American  make,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
were  manufactured  by  small  concerns  having  had  little  or  no 
experience,  and  consequently  a  very  small  trade  in  this  country. 

It  does  not  necessarily  follow,  however,  that  American 
machines  should  be  condemned  on  this  account,  because  it  is 


22  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

equally  true  that  some  of  the  best  type  of  high  grade 
American  bicycles  have  never  been  properly  introduced  into 
some  of  the  principal  foreign  markets,  owing  to  the  inability 
of  large  and  successful  American  manufacturers  to  fully  meet 
the  requirements  of  their  domestic  trade. 

It  is  for  this  reason  that  we  bring  our  line  of  Eagle  bicycles 
to  your  attention,  confident  that  the  distinctive  and  patented 
features  which  have  won  for  them  deserved  success  in  the 
United  States  will  at  once  appeal  to  careful  buyers  whose 
aim  it  is  to  build  up  a  permanent  and  successful  business  on 
a  standard  line  of  American  bicycles. 

If  interested,  kindly  state  the  territory  which  you  are  able 
to  handle,  and,  if  we  are  not  already  represented  there,  we 
will  take  pleasure  in  quoting  you  our  best  export  prices. 

Yours  very  truly,  (253) 

Boiler  Appliance  Correspondence. 

STANDARD  STEAM  SPECIALTY  Co., 

New  York  City. 

Gentlemen  :  In  reply  to  your  favor  of  the  ist  inst.,  regarding 
the  "  Utility  "  Combination  Exhaust  Muffler,  Oil  Separator, 
Return  Tank  and  Pump  Governor,  installed  by  you  at  the 
Judge  Building,  will  say  that  it  more  than  meets  my  expecta- 
tions ;  it  has  been  in  use  for  the  past  three  months,  giving 
perfect  satisfaction.  I  have,  at  different  times,  made  tests  for 
oil  from  the  returns  from  heating  lines  with  strong  caustic 
soda,  but  no  trace  of  oil  was  found.  You  have,  in  your 
Combination  Tank,  placed  on  the  market  a  valuable  and,  I 
may  say,  indispensable  adjunct  to  the  modern  system  of 
heating.  Should  you  at  any  time  wish  to  send  any  one  to  the 
Judge  Building,  they  can  easily  satisfy  themselves  as  to  the 
merits  of  the  Separator. 

Yours  respectfully,  (136) 

MILTON  MANUFACTURING  Co., 

Lowell,  Mass. 

Gentlemen :  Referring  to  your  favor  of  the  2oth  inst. 
regarding  our  High  Pressure  Boiler  Feeder,  will  say  that  it 
will  operate  the  Feed  Pump  direct  or  valves  in  the  feed  pipe 
line,  keeps  the  water  in  the  boilers  at  a  predetermined  level, 
saving  much  annoyance  and  allowing  them  to  receive  only 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  23 

sufficient  feed-water  to  maintain  the  proper  water  line,  result- 
ing in  increased  economy  and  efficiency  of  the  boilers.  An 
indestructible  float  in  the  Feeder  operates  upon  the  small 
water  valve,  allowing  water  pressure  to  act  upon  the  piston, 
which  in  turn  acts  upon  the  balance  valve  in  feed  pipe  line. 
The  float  only  operating  the  small  water  valve,  has  little  work 
to  do,  and  is  not  liable  to  stick.  It  has  Water  Gauge  and 
Gauge  Cocks,  and  can  take  the  place  of  the  usual  water 
column  and  gauges  upon  the  boilers.  The  Float  guaranteed 
for  300  Ibs. 

By  reference  to  the  cut  in  enclosed  circular  showing 
Application  of  Feeder,  a  clear  comprehension  of  its  adapt- 
ability is  seen. 

Yours  truly,  ('7-0 

Mr.  J.  H.  HUGHES, 

Clinton,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Replying  to  your  inquiry  regarding  the  Boston 
Boiler  Thermostat,  we  beg  to  say  that  the  apparatus  is 
designed  to  utilize  all  waste  steam  and  vapor  from  all  sources, 
such  as  is  usually  lost  from  blow-off  tanks,  drip  tanks,  traps 
to  pumps,  cooking  apparatus,  etc.,  and  until  the  supply  of 
heat  from  such  sources  falls  short,  and  is  inadequate  to  heat 
the  water  properly,  it  remains  closed  against  the  live  steam 
supply.  When,  however,  the  waste  heat,  usually  carried  off 
by  vapor,  etc.,  but  here  wholly  recovered  and  utilized,  becomes 
insufficient,  the  steam  valve  automatically  opens  and  adds 
enough  live  steam  to  do  the  work,  and  no  more,  and  keeps  up 
this  supply  as  long  as  required,  and  no  longer.  The  watering 
tank  can  never  boil. 

Would  be  pleased  to  have  you  call  and  see  it  in  operation 
at  any  time. 

Yours  truly,  (153) 

CAMPBELL  MILLING  Co., 
Dexter,  Me. 

Gentlemen  :  We  enclose  you  circular  illustrating  our  boiler 
appliances,  and  wrould  call  your  special  attention  to  our 
Star  Low  Pressure  Boiler  Feeder,  which  is  adapted  for  Low 
Pressure  Boilers  where  a  low  pressure  of  steam  is  carried  and 
water  of  condensation  returned  direct  to  the  boiler.  The 
water  from  street  pressure,  or  other  source  of  supply,  is  con- 
nected direct  to  balanced  valve  on  Feeder,  and  when  the  float 


24  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS   DICTATION    BOOK. 

in  Feeder  opens  valve,  water  is  admitted  through  valve  and 
hollow  arm  direct  into  P'eeder,  which,  being  connected  to 
boiler  at  top  and  bottom,  equalizes  at  once.  The  Star  Low 
Pressure  Boiler  Feeder  will  maintain  a  constant  and  reliable 
water  line  in  low  pressure  boilers,  and  give  positive  assurance 
that  all  damage  to  the  boiler  from  low  water  cannot  occur, 
either  from  carelessness  of  attendant  or  other  causes. 

Yours  truly,  (143) 

WILLIAMS  PUMP  Co., 

New  York  City. 

Gentlemen  :  We  should  be  pleased  to  receive  your  proposal 
for  one  independent  jet  condenser,  to  be  delivered  to  the 
Boston  Electric  Light  and  Power  Company,  Boston,  Mass.; 
the  condenser  to  be  of  the  proper  capacity  to  handle  the 
exhaust  steam  from  two  14^  by  24  simple  Buckeye  engines, 
speed  1 6o-horse-power,  boiler  pressure  icolbs. ;  temperature 
of  fresh  water  not  more  than  65  degrees  ;  water  supply  40  feet 
from  condenser,  and  a  difference  of  2  feet  in  level  between 
the  water  supply  and  the  condenser  floor. 

Proposals  should  be  accompanied  by  blue-print  showing 
dimensions  of  the  condenser,  and  stating  time  of  delivery, 
Address  proposals  to  the  Boston  Electric  Light  and  Power 
Company,  mailing  them  to  this  office.  The  right  is  reserved 
to  reject  any  or  all  bids. 

Yours  truly,  (138) 

WELLINGTON  STEEL  PUMP  Co., 
Concord,  N.  H. 

Gentlemen  :    Kindly  send    us  your  lowest   price  for   two 
q|  by  3!  by  7  single  outside  packed  plunger  pumps,  delivered 
"L  Manchester,  N.  H. 

These  pumps  will  be  required  to  lift  cold  water  a  height  of 
not  more  than  seven  feet,  and  force  this  water  through  a  300- 
horse-power  primary  and  a  2oo-horse-power  secondary  heater 
to  the  boilers  operated  under  100  Ibs.  pressure.  The  difference 
in  level  between  the  pump  and  the  boiler  feed  will  be  eight 
feet. 

Proposals  should  be  accompanied  by  print  showing  dimen- 
sions of  the  pumps,  and  stating  the  time  of  deliver}-.    Address 
proposals  to  the  Williamsburg  Power  Company,  mailing  them 
to  this  office.     The  right  is  reserved  to  reject  any  or  all  bids. 
Yours  very  truly,  (132) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  25 

Bookbinding  Correspondence. 

Messrs.  L.  L.  BRAWN  &  Co., 
New  Haven,  Conn. 

Gentlemen  :  The  year  is  about  to  close,  and  it  being  a  time 
when  all  new  contracts  are  made,  we  take  this  method  of 
placing  before  you  this  letter,  that  you  may  give  us  the 
opportunity  of  estimating  on  such  work  as  you  may  have, 
provided  you  should  wish  to  make  a  change. 

Our  specialty  is  in  the  Binding  of  Magazines,  Pamphlets, 
etc.,  in  the  most  approved  style  and  most  workmanlike 
manner,  with  the  greatest  possible  dispatch. 

Our  plant  is  equipped  with  the  latest  improved  machinery, 
which  gives  us  every  advantage  in  cheapening  work,  of  which 
you  will  become  convinced  if  we  are  allowed  to  furnish  you 
estimates.  We  are  also  open  all  night,  which  will  enable 
publishers  to  take  advantage  of  holding  their  forms  for  extra 
news  at  a  small  additional  cost. 

Yours  very  truly,  I1 44) 

Mr.  H.  W.  COLEMAN, 

Newark,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  Being  supplied  with  all  modern  improvements  in 
the  bookbinder's  industry,  we  are  now  prepared  to  offer  you 
advantages  in  bookbinding  second  to  no  other  establishment 
in  the  city.  We  are  fully  equipped  with  the  latest  patented 
contrivances  to  facilitate  the  production  of  the  largest  orders 
in  the  shortest  possible  time,  and  at  the  least  expense,  and 
can  with  confidence  solicit  your  trade,  assuring  you  that  if 
honored  with  it  we  can  guarantee  perfect  satisfaction. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  cloth  and  pamphlet  binding,  but  can 
with  equal  facility  handle  every  description  of  binding,  including 
desk-pads,  portfolios,  etc.  Estimates  cheerfully  furnished. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you,  we  remain, 

Respectfully  yours, 

Messrs.  SIMPSON  &  Co., 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Having  succeeded  Mr.  W.  C.  Hennen  in  the 
bookbinding  and  pamphlet  business,  we  would  respectfully 
solicit  a  share  of  your  work. 

With  the  latest  approved  machinery,  we  are  in  a  position 


25  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

to  turn  out  work  rapidly  and  well  executed,  and  our  prices 
will  be  found  reasonable. 

Our  bindery  has  a  capacity  of  250,000  sheets  per  day.  We 
can  turn  out  5,000  cloth  bound,  5,000  paper  sewed,  and  10,000 
wired  books  daily. 

With  the  Hennen  New  Process  Bookbinding  Machine  we 
can  bind  7,000  paper  covered  books  per  day.  This  machine 
binds  books  without  the  use  of  wire  or  thread,  and  the  work 
is  superior  to  any  style  of  binding  on  the  market. 

We  bind  all  kinds  of  pamphlets  and  paper  bound  books, 
having  separate  departments  for  our  cloth  work. 

We  will  gladly  estimate  on  your  work,  and  call  upon  you, 
if  requested. 

Yours  truly,  (!52) 

Builders'  Correspondence. 
Mr.  J.  B.  SELLECK, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  By  Saturday  at  noon  the  entrance  hall  and 
waiting  room  in  the  Park  Street  house  will  be  all  browned, 
and  you  can  then  take  measurements  for  your  marble  work, 
or  if  not  convenient  for  you  to  do  so  at  that  time,  I  will  meet 
you  Monday,  when  we  can  make  arrangements  as  to  what 
time  will  be  most  convenient  for  you  to  do  the  work. 

Yours  truly,  (77) 

Mr.  J.  B.  COLT, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  I  am  in  receipt  of  yours  of  the  2oth  inst.,  and, 
in  reply,  would  say  that  I  have  not  had  occasion  to  put  in  any 
cold  air  box  to  my  furnaces,  as  I  have  always  found  them  to 
give  excellent  service  without.  I  have  always  used  the 
Benson  furnace,  and  consider  it  equal  to  any. 

Yours  truly,  *  (67) 

Messrs.  NEWSOME  &  Co., 

Williamsbridge,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  If  convenient  to  you  I  will  be  ready  to  take 
trim  at  the  Cedar  Avenue  job  on  Thursday  morning  next. 
Please  advise  me  if  you  will  be  ready  to  deliver  material  on 
that  date  so  that  I  may  have  the  men  there  to  remove  the 
articles  as  soon  as  delivered. 

Yours  truly,  (60) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  .?  7 

Mr.   HOLTON  ROBINSON, 

14  West  1 23d  Street,  New  York. 

Dear  Sir:  We  have  had  the  flagging  repaired  in  front  of 
your  1 25th  Street  lots,  and  while  the  men  were  there  we  had 
them  replace  a  couple  of  additional  ones,  making  it  a  verv 
complete  job.  We  told  you  the  work  would  cost  $14.50,  but 
as  the  man  did  a  little  more  than  he  agreed  to,  we  told  him  we 
would  give  him  $15.  Will  you  kindly  send  me  a  check  for 
this  amount,  and  we  will  return  you  his  receipt.  Will  you 
also  advise  me  if  you  will  be  at  home  next  Tuesday,  and  if 
so,  what  would  be  the  most  convenient  hour  for  us  to  call 
and,  in  a  general  way,  discuss  property  improvements 

Yours  truly,  0-4 ) 

Mr.  J.  B.  HAINES, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir :  I  wish  you  would  start  on  Monday  at  my  Brook 
Avenue  house  putting  in  your  guide  posts,  etc.  The  brown- 
ing of  the  house  will  then  be  fully  completed,  and  I  do  not 
wish  to  put  the  white  coat  on  the  elevator  shaft  until  your 
men  are  through  with  the  guides.  Kindly  advise  me  if  you 
will  do  this,  and  oblige, 

Yours  truly,  (70) 

Mr.  J.  B.  GILLIES, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  favor  of  the  ist  inst.  received.  I  will  put 
up  a  partition  for  you  seven  feet  high,  made  with  ceiling 
boards,  bases,  capping  and  mouldings,  to  the  height  of  four 
feet,  six  inches ;  the  upper  part  sashes  with  clear  double 
thick  glass  ;  to  be  made  of  white  wood  and  varnished  two 
coats,  for  the  sum  of  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  per  lineal  foot. 

Yours  truly,  (76) 

Mr.  B.  B.  ELLIS, 

Concord,  N.  H. 

Dear  Sir :  Can  you  rush  the  work  on  the  stair  job  you  are 
doing  for  me  at  gSth  Street  ?  If  so,  I  will  esteem  it  a  favor.  I 
must  take  down  the  plasterer's  hoist  on  Monday  morning,  and 
they  must  have  some  means  of  getting  to  the  upper  stories 
without  going  out  on  the  fire  escapes.  Kindly  advise  me  as 
to  what  is  the  best  you  can  do. 

Yours  truly,  (77) 


28  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  JOHN  REGAN, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  favor  of  the  291)1  ult.,  I  propose 
to  cut  out  and  frame  in  roof  an  opening  for  a  galvanized  iron 
sky-light  4x6  feet,  to  be  ceiled  around  the  lower  part  to 
plastering,  and  to  make  good  the  tinning  on  roof,  to  furnish 
labor  and  materials,  for  the  sum  of  thirty-five  dollars. 

Yours  truly,  (68) 

Collection  Correspondence. 
Mr.  K.  L.  Ross, 

Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  desire  to  invite  your  attention  to  the 
advantages  we  offer  in  our  business  as  a  Collection  Agency. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  Collections,  to  which  we  give 
prompt  and  zealous  attention,  rendering  reports  and  remit- 
tances at  once.  If  we  do  not  succeed  there  is  no  charge. 
We  shall  take  pleasure  in  forwarding  to  you  a- special  list  of 
references,  in  addition  to  the  enclosed  list,  if  you  so  desire, 
and  invite  attention  to  our  personal  responsibility. 

We  also  desire  to  impress  upon  your  mind  the  fact  that  we 
make  a  demand  for  payment  of  all  bills  entrusted  to  us  for 
collection  immediately  after  receiving  same ;  we  collect  as 
soon  as  possible,  and,  as  soon  as  we  get  it,  you  receive  the 
amount,  as  we  do  not  retain  funds  until  called  upon  to  remit, 
but  the  moment  a  collection  is  made,  it  is  turned  over  to  the 
person  or  firm  to  whom  it  belongs. 

We  charge  10  per  cent,  on  all  collections  of  over  $50.00,  and 
15  per  cent,  on  any  under  that  amount,  and,  in  case  of  suit,  25 
per  cent. ;  but  we  do  not  bring  suit  until  specially  instructed 
to  do  so. 

There  are  no  other  attorney's  fees.  Of  course,  claimant 
pays  costs  of  bringing  action,  which  is  usually  very  small. 
Claims  of  any  amount  or  duration  taken. 

Yours  truly,  (230 

Mr.  H.  W.  PAYNE, 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Dear  Sir :  You  are  hereby  informed  that  a  claim  amounting 
to  $1,000  against  you  has  been  placed  in  our  hands  for 
collection  by  Messrs.  Hoover  &  Johnston,  of  this  cit}T,  for 
work,  labor,  and  services  performed  by  them  as  architects  in 


BUSINESS    DICTATION'.  2Q 

building  a  five-story  brick  dwelling,  with  brown-stone  front, 
on  your  property  at  corner  of  Columbus  Avenue  and  Man- 
hattan Street,  and  furnishing  all  materials  therefor,  which 
amount  we  request  you  to  liquidate  with  the  least  delay.  As 
a  rule  we  thus  call  upon  debtors  for  payment  of  such  accounts 
before  resorting  to  legal  or  other  means,  by  which  said  debtor 
will  become  involved  in  additional  as  well  as  unnecessary 
expense  in  its  collection. 

Hoping,  therefore,  that  you  will  appreciate  this  sufficiently 
to  prompt  you  to  pay  the  amount  within  one  week  from  date 
hereof,  or  at  least  reply  to  this  communication  and  demand 
within  that  time,  arranging  for  prompt  settlement  of  the  above 
described  claim,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly, 

P.S. — By  remitting  us  this  amount  you  will  save  having  the 
claim  put  into  the  hands  of  a  local  attorney  for  collection.  -, 

(190) 
Messrs.  ELLIS  &  Co., 

Sandusky,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen :  We  have  to-day  handed  Messrs.  Cornwcll, 
Crocker  &  Berry  check  for  $106.14,  in  payment  of  your 
account.  We  regret  that  you  have  thought  the  step  taken 
unnecessary ;  and  would  say  that  when  your  draft  came  to 
hand  we  could  not  conveniently  accept  the  same,  and  asked 
our  Mr.  Hull  to  write  to  you  to  that  effect.  We  presumed 
that  this  had  been  done,  and  your  solicitor's  letter  to  us  was 
the  first  intimation  to  the  writer,  that  you  thought  this  step 
necessary.  Mr.  Hull  is  at  present  out  of  town,  and  we,  there- 
fore, do  not  know  whether  he  wrote  as  instructed. 

Yours  very  truly,  ( 1 1 1 ) 

Messrs.  LIMKS  &  Co., 

Uneeda,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  W7e  are  pleased  to  note  by  your  letter  of  the 
2oth  inst.  that  you  are  sending  us  your  collections,  and  are 
glad  to  welcome  you. 

If  there  is  any  way  in  which  we  can  assist  you,  either  in 
the  collection  of  a  debt,  information  as  to  credits,  or  particular 
investigation  of  special  cases,  we  will  be  glad  to  do  so. 

Call  upon  us,  even  if  the  service  required  is  not  distinctly 
in  our  line. 

Yours  respectfully,  (8<) 


30  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Copying  Office  Correspondence. 

Mr.  SAMUEL  KENT, 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  In  most  lines  of  business,  personal  letters  pay. 
They  bring,  hold,  and  increase  business.  These  are  facts, 
demonstrated  by  the  results  achieved  by  many  leading  firms. 

We  can  reproduce  any  number  of  fac-simile  typewritten 
letters  at  a  reasonable  cost.  This  letter  is  a  specimen  of  the 
work.  Your  name  and  address  have  been  filled  in  to  match 
the  body  of  the  letter.  Are  you  interested  in  this  matter  ? 
May  I  call  on  you  ? 

Yours  truly,  (84) 

Messrs.  LAMSON  BROS., 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen :  Having  facilities  for  doing  first  class  dupli- 
cating work,  I  should  be  pleased  to  execute  your  circular 
letters,  or  other  matter  which  you  desire  to  send  out  in  type- 
written form,  and  offer  the  following  low  rates;  100  copies, 
one  page,  letter  size,  $1.25  ;  500  copies,  one  page,  letter  size, 
$4.00  ;  1,000  copies,  one  page,  letter  size,  $7.00  ;  addresses 
inserted  in  same  type  and  color,  per  100,  40  cents. 

You  will  find  that  communications  written  under  this 
process  have  the  appearance  of  being  typewritten  and  the 
effect  of  personal  letters.  This  is  a  sample  of  the  work. 

I  am  also  prepared  to  do  typewriting  and  stenographic  work 
of  every  description,  promptly  and  in  the  best  style. 

Hoping  that  you  will  give  me  an  opportunity  to  serve  jrou, 
I  remain, 

Very  respectfully  yours,  (X37) 

Dr.  D.  H.  AHREND, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Two  dollars  per  1,000  is  our  price  for  full  size 
imitation  typewritten  letters,  with  signature  in  typewriting, 
you  furnishing  the  letter  heads.  Special  prices  on  orders  of 
5,000  and  over.  We  want  your  business,  and  will  make  our 
prices  an  inducement.  We  use  all  styles  of  typewriter  type 
and  any  color  ink.  If  you  desire  to  insert  names  and 
addresses  we  will  furnish  you  a  typewriter  ribbon  to  exactly 
match  our  ink,  or  we  will  do  this  filling  in  and  reproduce  your 
written  signature  at  low  prices. 


BUSINESS   tUCTATIOX.  3! 

You  certainly  use  "  Form  Letters,"  circular  letters,  etc.,  at 
various  times,  and  realize  the  importance  of  having  them 
appear  as  if  written  on  the  typewriter.  This  letter  is  a 
sample  of  our  work.  Advertising  b}T  our  method  is  cheap  and 
effective,  if  your  list  is  good.  Even-  letter  goes  to  some 
interested  party.  There's  no  random  firing  ;  no  waste  of 
circulation.  Perhaps  that's  why  it  pays. 

Some  glib  solicitor  may  talk  you  into  believing  he  repre- 
sents the  only  firm  on  earth  capable  of  handling  your  circular 
work.  Be  a  little  slow  in  making  haste,  and  don't  place  your 
orders  until  you  compare  prices,  for  after  all  it's  prices, 
coupled  with  good  service  that  talk,  also  wins  trade  and  holds 
it.  If  you  are  one  of  our  customers  you  are  probably  glad  of 
it.  If  we  do  not  now  number  you  as  such,  a  trial  order  placed 
with  us  will  quickly  make  you  a  regular  patron. 

We  will  be  glad  to  submit  samples,  and  give  you  any 
further  information  you  may  desire  regarding  our  process. 
Send  us  a  postal  or  telephone  Cortlandt  859,  and  our  repre- 
sentative will  call. 

Yours  very  truly,  (288) 

Cotton  Correspondence. 

Mr.  T.  J.  CAREY, 

Torrey,  N.  C. 

Dear  Sir:  With  the  great  increase  in  speculative  activity 
in  cotton,  we  feel  sure  that  an  energetic  representative  could 
materially  increase  our  business  in  your  vicinity,  and  we 
would  esteem  it  a  favor  if  you  could  give  us  the  name  of  a 
reliable  person  whom  you  could  recommend.  To  such  a 
person  we  would  be  glad  to  pay  a  brokerage  on  any  business 
sent  us. 

Cotton  at  the  present  time  has  declined  somewhat  from  the 
high  prices  ruling  a  few  weeks  ago,  but  with  the  light  movement 
now  prevailing  a  sharp  break  is  unlikely.  Foreign  spinners 
pay  little  attention  to  the  small  receipts,  claiming  that  cotton 
is  being  held  back,  and  are  only  buying  for  their  immediate 
requirements.  We  believe  that  the  crop  is  materially  smaller 
than  the  consumption  of  this  year,  and  that  we  shall  have 
higher  prices  as  soon  as  European  spinners  realize  this. 

Is  cotton  held  back  to  any  extent  in  your  locality  ? 

Yours  very  truly,  066) 


J2  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  A.  C.  LUTZ, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir :  With  increased  activity  in  nearly  all  of  the 
speculative  markets,  we  feel  sure  that  an  energetic  repre- 
sentative could  materially  enlarge  our  business  in  your 
vicinity,  and  we  would  esteem  it  a  favor  if  you  could  give  us 
the  name  of  a  reliable  person  whom  you  could  recommend. 
To  such  a  perse  n  we  would  be  glad  to  pay  a  brokerage  on  any 
business  sent  us. 

In  the  event  of  our  being  able  to  find  a  suitable  party  to 
represent  us,  we  would  instruct,  if  agreeable  to  you,  that  all 
margins  be  deposited  with  your  bank  for  transmission  to  us. 

We  await  your  reply  with  much  interest,  and  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (ll(>) 

Mr.  A.  J.  WHEELER, 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  of  the  8th  inst.  came  duly  to  hand, 
and  we  are  much  obliged.  We  regret,  however,  we  cannot 
extend  our  offer  for  the  Mixtures  No.  11,651,  without  further 
consulting  our  friends.  We  shall  see  them  on  'Change  to- 
morrow, when  we  will  put  the  matter  to  them  and  write  you 
the  result.  We  shall  be  glad  to  receive  the  patterns  of 
Figured  Sateens  by  Thursday  evening  at  the  latest,  so  as  to 
be  in  time  for  the  mail.  We  have  an  inquiry  for  500  pieces 
as  per  pattern  enclosed  herewith,  and  shall  be  glad  if  you 
would  quote  us  your  lowest  price  for  same. 

Yours  truly,  (TI7) 

Mr.  SPENCER  A.  GALES, 
Palatka,  Fla. 

Dear  Sir :  We  are  still  short  fifty  bales  of  the  949  lot  of 
cotton,  shipped  on  the  i5th  of  December,  from  Columbus, 
Miss.  We  wired  you  last  week  to  trace  this  cotton  by  wire, 
and  also  wrote  the  G.  F.  A.,  of  the  Southern  system,  regard- 
ing it.  So  far,  we  have  heard  nothing  from  either  of  you 
about  this  cotton. 

We  have  never  received  a  bale  of  the  100  bale  lot,  shipped 
Jan.  1 4th  from  Augusta,  Ga.  Please  have  tracer  started  for 
this  lot  immediately. 

Yours  very  truly,  (92) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION'.  33 

Messrs.  R.  A.  GATES  &  SONS, 
Atlantic,  Ga. 

Gentlemen  :  According  to  our  records,  you  are  mill  due  us 
100  bales  of  strict  middling,  and  50  bales  of  middling,  for 
January  i5th  shipment,  sold  us  November  yth,  at  $7.50. 
Please  see  if  we  have  these  lots  in  accordance  with  your  books, 
and  if  so,  we  shall  be  glad  if  you  will  have  it  here  at  the 
specified  time. 

Please  start  tracer  for  the  thirty-one  bales  of  cotton,  shipped 
January  2d,  and  the  thirty-one  bales  shipped  January  2Qth. 
We  can  hear  nothing  from  either  lot.  Please  let  a  part  of  the 
750  bales,  Feb.  ist,  come  forward  at  once,  and  not  wait  until 
the  second  week  in  March. 

Yours  very  truly,  (ll&) 

Mr.  H.  J.  ROOT, 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  shipping  the  cotton  which  you  are  due  us  for 
February,  please  divide  it  as  nearly  as  possible  into  four  equal 
shipments,  and  let  them  come  forward  one  each  week,  instead 
of  the  whole  lot  the  last  week  in  Feb.,  as  at  first  decided  upon. 
We  have  no  room  to  store  such  a  large  lot  of  cotton  at  once, 
and  we  hope  you  will  let  it  come  forward  as  requested. 

Yours  very  truly,  (81) 

Messrs.  JAMES  BLAKE  &  Co., 

Savannah,  Ga. 

Gentlemen  :  We  find  that  the  sample  of  cotton  which  we 
sent  you  came  out  of  bale  No.  19,  lot  OXB.  We  are  still  finding 
a  good  deal  of  seed  in  that  bale,  and  also  in  bale  No.  85,  same 
lot.  This  last  bale  we  notice  has  a  great  many  more  seed 
than  the  one  first  reported.  We  are  sorry  to  find  this  lot  of 
cotton  falling  so  far  below  the  grade  for  which  it  was  bought, 
and  we  await  your  further  instructions. 

Yours  very  truly,  (92) 

The  JAMES  A.  SPICER  Co., 
Canton,  Ga. 

Gentlemen :  About  the  750  bales  of  cotton  sold  for  Feb 
dehvery,  part  of  which  has  been  shipped,  if  vou  can  let  the 
ba  ance  of  it  come  along  in  March,  weekly  shipment  of  100 
bales,  it  would  suit  us  a  great  deal  better  than  the  former 

£  D.  S. 


34  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

arrangement.     We  are  getting  in  an  unexpected  lot,  and  will 
not  have  room  to  store  all  that  is  coming. 

Of  course  we  will  pay  the  interest,  and  usual  warehouse 
and  insurance  charges. 

Yours  very  truly,  (87) 

Messrs.  A.  J.  HORNEN  &  SONS, 
Tampa,  Fla. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  surprised  to  learn  that  anything  except 
middling  will  be  delivered  on  contracts.  We  cannot  use  any- 
thing lower  than  middling  grade,  so  if  you  cannot  get  this,  sell 
out  the  contract  and  don't  receive  the  cotton.  Do  not  ship  us 
low  grade  stuff. 

Please  send  us  an  itemized  statement  of  our  account  so  that 
we  can  check  up  with  you. 

Yours  very  truly,  (73) 

Mr.  H.  H.  CANNEN  &  Co., 
Blue  Ridge,  Ga. 

Gentlemen :  We  have  just  wired  you  as  follows :  "  Since 
wiring  yesterday,  we  have  decided  to  take  the  July  cotton. 
Have  it  shipped  to  Columbus,"  which  we  now  confirm. 

Please  get  the  lowest  freight  rate  from  New  Orleans  here, 
which  should  not  exceed  3oc.,  and  from  Danville  to  New 
Orleans  on  cotton  goods  is  25c.,  and  from  Danville  here  it  is 
5c.  Please  let  us  know  what  day  you  will  have  to  receive 
this  cotton,  so  that  we  can  send  you  check  for  it,  amount  of 
*vhich  you  will  please  advise  us.  As  spots  do  not  sympathize 
with  futures,  we  have  figured  that  our  loss  will  be  consider- 
ably less  by  taking  actual  cotton. 

Yours  very  truly,  (I24) 

THE  M.  A.  WHITE  Co., 

Stanton,  Fla. 

Gentlemen :  We  have  received,  and  finished  weighing  up, 
the  .500  bales  of  cotton  shipped  this  month,  and  we  beg  to 
report  the  shortage  as  follows  : 

One  hundred  bales,  marked  O.  J.  J.  O.,   797  Ibs.  loss, 
„           „  „          „         N.  S.  R.  H.,  840   „       ,7 

M.  N.  P.  O.,  920   „      ... 
fi        M.N.O.W.,  208  „      „ 

M  M  M  ».  L-    S-    K-   J'»      63°     M  ,; 

or  a  total  loss  of  3,395  Ibs. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  .  - 

This  cotton  was  carefully  weighed,  and  \ve  arc  willing  to  be 
qualified  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the  weights.  We  are  sorry  to 
have  to  report  this  shortage,  and  hope  next  month's  shipments 
will  come  up  much  better. 

We  herewith  enclose  \-ou  debit  memorandum  for  3,395  Ibs. 
charged  to  you  as  per  contract,  which  is,  $7.80  landed. 

Yours  very  truly,  (  1  5  5  ) 

Desks. 

THE  JAMES  H.  STOCK  Co., 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Gentlemen  :  You  may  remember  us  having  some  corre- 
spondence with  you  in  regard  to  a  desk?  We  have  practi- 
cally decided  to  have  one  of  No.  301-66"  "  with  swinging 
pedestal,  and  with  No.  7  "  D  "  typewriter  attachment  in  left 
pedestal,  and  now  ask  your  very  lowest  trade  rate,  delivered 
at  our  door,  cash  with  order. 

Before  buying  one,  however,  it  would  be  some  satisfaction 
to  us  if  we  could  see  in  this  city  a  desk  of  your  make  having 
this  typewriter  attachment,  so  as  to  test  the  practicability  of 
the  same,  and  therefore  would  ask  you  to  send  us  the  name  of 
any  firm  having  purchased  one.  If  you  cannot  mention  one 
in  this  city,  please  give  us  the  name  of  one  elsewhere.  We  are, 

Very  truly  yours, 


THE  JAMES  H.  STOCK  Co., 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  yours  of  Oct.  i2th,  we  beg  to  say 
that  we  are  very  much  surprised  to  hear  that  it  will  be  three 
weeks  before  you  can  deliver  the  desk.  The  excuse  about 
"  having  to  specially  construct  an  entirely  new  desk  on 
account  of  the  No.  7  typewriter  attachment"  is  exceedingly 
weak,  as  this  was  duly  specified  for  in  the  original  order,  and 
if  you  conduct  your  business  on  business-like  principles  you 
must  have  calculated  for  this  in  your  estimate.  After  much 
persuasion,  we  have  got  the  party  who  has  promised  to  pur- 
chase our  old  desk,  to  hold  off  for  three  weeks  after  the  date 
of  your  letter,  but  not  a  day  after,  so  if  the  desk  is  not 
delivered  on  or  before  the  5th  November  we  claim  the  privi- 
lege to  cancel  the  order. 

Yours  truly,  (H4) 


36  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

THE  JAMES  H.  STOCK  Co., 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  your  favor  of  the  i3th  inst.,  and,  in 
reply,  would  say  that  we  have  decided  to  order  a  No.  301-66"  " 
swinging  pedestal  desk,  with  No.  7  "  D  "  typewriter  attach- 
ment, as  per  our  previous  correspondence  with  you.  We 
should  prefer  the  single  drawer  "A-Z"  indexes  with  each 
drawer.  It  was  not,  however,  our  intention  to  give  the  order 
just  yet,  but  as  you  press  it,  we  will  do  so,  and  herewith 
enclose  check  for  $30.00  in  part  payment.  Please  note  that 
we  do  not  wish  the  desk  delivered  until  about  July  15111. 
Please  notify  us  a  few  days  previous  to  shipping,  and  we  will 
send  you  check  to  balance,  viz.,  $23.42. 

Kindly  keep  in  mind  that  your  quotation  of  $53.42  was  for 
the  desk  delivered  right  to  our  door.     We  shall  be  glad  to 
have  a  line  confirming  this  order.    We  are, 
Very  truly  yours, 

(156) 
Mr.  LEVI  H.  HONES, 

Sandford,  111. 

Dear  Sir :  We  have  your  very  considerate  favor  of  the 
nth  inst.,  and  only  regret  that  it  is  not  possible  for  us  to 
comply  with  your  request  for  duplicate  of  the  missing. part  of 
the  desk,  which  is  the  base  containing  the  special  construction 
which,  as  you  know,  took  us  from  six  to  nine  months  to 
make ;  not  that  we  were  all  this  time  making  it,  but  that  in  the 
above  period  we  could  only  find  one  opportunity  of  making 
this  special  construction.  We  are  following  this  shipment  by 
another  wire  tracer,  and  have  advised  the  R.  Co.  of  the  exact 
condition  of  affairs,  though  we  know  they  will  use  every  en- 
deavor to  locate  the  part,  but  the  most  effective  way  is  to  enter 
claim  for  the  value  of  the  goods.  To  do  this  we  must  have 
the  freight  receipt  for  the  top,  showing  that  the  base  was  not 
received.  If  you  will  kindly  send  us  this  at  once  we  are 
confident  we  can  get  the  desk  to  you  within  a  very  few  days, 
even  though  the  wire  tracer  should  prove  ineffective.  To 
rush  another  base  through  would  require  between  30  to  40 
days,  and  it  will  certainly  be  far  preferable  to  act  on  the  above 
suggestions. 

We  await  your  further  pleasure,  and  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (225) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION. 

Mr.  SAMUEL  J.   EXTZ, 

New  Rochelle,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  esteemed  favor  of  the 
iyth  inst.  enclosing  freight  bill,  which  does  not,  howe\ei,  show 
that  one  part  of  the  desk  has  not  yet  been  received.  It  is 
impossible  for  us  to  enter  a  claim  for  any  damage,  or  tor  a 
lost  part  of  a  desk,  unless  it  is  noted  on  freight  bill  that  the 
part  has  not  been  received,  or  received  in  a  perfect  condition. 
Now,  we  are  returning  this  freight  bill  that  you  can  have  the 
freight  agent  at  your  place  make  notation  that  the  second  part 
is  not  received. 

Regretting  that  there  should  be  so  much  delay  in  this 
matter,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly, 

(12!) 

Mr.  M.  A.  PFNXELL, 

Roselle,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  Concerning  the  desk  recently  shipped  you,  and 
which  our  Mr.  Jones  has  examined  and  reported  upon,  permit 
us  to  say  that  under  the  circumstances  we  are  willing  to  allow 
you  a  rebate  of  $5.00  on  your  desk  to  reimburse  you  for  any 
expense  you  may  suffer  in  having  the  necessary  repairs  made. 
We  regret  exceedingly  you  should  have  suffered  this  disap- 
pointment on  this  first  order  placed  with  us,  for  we  know  it 
must  react  upon  us  unfavorably  when  you  may  have  in  mind 
further  purchases.  We  trust  you  will  not  permit  this  to  be 
the  case,  but  will  hand  us  any  orders  you  may  have  for  goods 
in  our  line.  That  we  shall  put  forth  every  effort  to  treat  you 
so  well  as  to  make  you  forget  all  about  this  present  un- 
pleasantness goes  without  saying. 

Yours  truly,  (M6) 

THE  ROBERT  J.  MEEKS  Co., 

Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Gentlemen :  This  will  acknowledge  receipt  of  your 
esteemed  favor  of  the  3151  ult,  and  advise  that  on  the  i3th 
inst.  we  shipped  your  special  t}7pewriter  desk,  but  in  two 
packages,  which  is  the  manner  in  which  all  of  our  desks  are 
shipped  in  order  to  secure  a  favorable  freight  rate.  It  mus.t 
be  that  the  shipment  became  separated  in  transit,  and  we  are 
using  evenr  endeavor  to  secure  an  early  delivery.  We  are 
following  by  wire  tracer. 


452254 


3<*>  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

We  can  assure  you  that  this  desk  is  built  only  from 
thoroughly  seasoned  stock,  and  we  are  confident  that  when 
the  desk  is  set  up  in  a  proper  manner  all  parts  will  work 
perfectly  and  be  found  satis  factory.  Do  not  be  afraid  to  pull 
the  writing  bed  down  to  the  pedestal.  If  there  is  a  panel  in 
the  desk  that  is  warped,  kindly  indicate  its  location,  and  we 
will  send  you  another  to  replace  it,  reimbursing  you  for  any 
expense  you  may  be  put  to  in  so  doing. 

Awaiting  your  further  pleasure,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly, 

(182) 

Mr.  S.  J.  MEYER, 

Columbus,  Ga. 

Dear  Sir:  We  are  just  in  receipt  of  your  telegram  advising 
us  of  the  non-arrival  of  desk,  and  asking  for  a  report  for 
same.  Replying  thereto,  we  beg  to  say  we  have  twice 
requested  the  R.  Co.  to  put  a  wire  tracer  after  this  ship- 
ment, and  have  just  finished  writing  them  a  very  vigorous 
letter  upon  the  subject,  again  requesting  that  they  put  a  third 
wire  tracer  out,  and  advise  both  you  and  ourselves  immedi- 
ately upon  the  receipt  of  any  information  as  to  its  where- 
abouts. We  trust  it  will  now  reach  you  without  further 
delay  or  annoyance. 

We  thank  you  for  your  very  kind  consideration,  and  trust 
you  will  believe  us  when  we  say  we  are  doing  all  we  possibly 
can  to  get  desk  to  you. 

Yours  truly,  (135) 

Drugs  and  Proprietary  Medicines. 

J.  B.  CLINE  Co., 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  I  am  in  want  of  some  Trichloracetic  Acid  for 
use  in  my  work  as  a  dentist,  and  have  tried  to  get  the  Acid 
in  this  city  but 'without  success.  A  brother  dentist  suggested 
that  your  house  kept  it ;  and,  if  so,  I  wish  you  would  send  me 
one  one-ounce  vial, — that  is  if  the  Acid  referred  to  (I  think  I 
quote  it  correctly)  is  put  up  in  ounce  vials.  I  will  remit  pay- 
'ment  in  advance  if  you  will  let  me  know  how  much  to  send  ; 
or,  if  you  send  the  package,  I  will  remit  at  once  on  its  arrival. 

Yours  truly,  (no) 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  ^ 

Mr.  A.  J.  HOLMES, 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir:  We  returned  to  you  on  January  25111,  one  barrel 
containing  358  pounds  of  zinc  sulphate,  same  covered  by  your 
bill  of  January  i2th.  The  reason  we  return  this  is,  we  iind 
upon  analysis  of  same  that  it  is  not  chemically  pure,  the  sample 
under  analysis  containing  iron.  We  have  been  put  to  con- 
siderable expense  on  account  of  the  quality  of  the  previous 
barrel  not  being  absolutely  pure.  In  view  of  this,  we  would 
ask  that  you  credit  our  account  with  the  value  of  the  barrel 
returned,  and  to  this  end  we  enclose  you  herewith  our  bill 
under  separate  cover.  Please  do  not  send  us  any  more  for  the 
present. 

Yours  very  truly,  ( 1 2  2 } 

Mr.  B.  J.  MARSH, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  You  will  soon  have  calls  for  Dr.  Smiles'  Kola 
Nervine  Tablets  and  William's  Skin  Enamel.  These  new  goods 
will  be  ready  in  about  two  weeks,  but  as  our  advertising  is 
now  starting,  it  may  be  advisable  for  you  to  have  a  small  order 
in  for  early  delivery,  on  conditions  that  if  they  do  not  prove 
suitable  and  saleable  in  your  locality,  they  may  be  exchanged 
at  any  time.  Price  of  Kola  Nervine  Tablets  is  $8.00  per 
dozen,  less  10  per  cent.,  and  William's  Skin  Enamel,  $1.75, 
less  10  per  cent.,  delivered.  They  will  be  as  handsome  as  any 
on  the  market,  have  genuine  merit,  and  we  will  give  them  such 
advertising  as  to  make  them  sellers  from  the  start. 

The  price  on  "  Nervine  "  remains  the  same,  $7.50  per  dozen, 
less  15  per  cent.  Can  we  serve  you? 

Yours  very  truly,  (144) 

Q.  J.  HANCOCK  DRUG  Co., 

New  Berne,  N.  C. 

Gentlemen  :  Your  communication  of  the  5th  inst.  at  handi 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  shipment  covered  by  our  invoice 
of  February  29th.  We  note  your  remarks,  however,  to  the 
effect  that  instead  of  the  two  dozen  Cod  Liver  Oil  as  invoiced, 
you  received  two  dozen  Anodyne  Pine  Expectorant. 

This  is  an  error  on  the  part  of  our  shipping  department, 
which  we  sincerely  regret,  as  well  as  any  inconvenience  which 
the  non-receipt  of  the  Oil  caused  you. 


40  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK 

You  will,  perhaps,  be  pleased  to  learn  that  the  Cod  Liver 
Oil  has  gone  forward,  and,  as  requested,  we  have  mailed  the 
Calomel  Granules,  and  doubtless  you  will  have  received  same 
before  this  communication  comes  to  hand. 

We  would  thank  you  to  hold  the  two  dozen  Anodyne  Pine 
Expectorant  forwarded  in  error,  subject  to  our  shipping  direc- 
tions. We  expect  that  our  Mr.  Hill  will  be  in  your  vicinity 
in  a  short  time  and  he  will  attend  to  the  disposition  of  this 
preparation. 

Awaiting  your  further  esteemed  favors,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly, 

(176) 

Mr.  L.  B.  KRAFT, 

New  York,  N.Y. 

Dear  Sir:  We  are  manufacturers  of  "Liquid  Acid  Phos- 
phate," "  Phosphoric  Acid,"  and  "Phospho-Citric  Acid." 

If  you  use  any  of  these  articles  in  your  manufactures,  we 
shall  be  pleased  to  send  samples  and  give  quotations. 

Having  been  manufacturers  of  the  above-mentioned  goods 
for  several  years  (from  the  time  they  commenced  to  come  into 
general  use),  our  experience  enables  us  to  offer  them  as 
standards  in  purity  and  strength. 

In  asking  quotations  please  state  quantities  usually  pur- 
chased, so  that  we  can  give  you  lowest  figures. 

Yours  truly,  (94) 

Dry  Goods  Correspondence. 

The  ROBERT  CLARK  Co., 

Columbus,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  Enclosed  you  will  find  a  card  representing  our 
new  quality  of 

Crown  Warranted  Mercerized  Satteens, 

32  inches  wide,  half  pieces. 
To  secure  early  delivery,  order  at  once. 
On  a  reasonable  order  we  will  forward  you  25  or  50  sets  of 
samples  of  shades  you  purchase,  to  submit  to  your  dressmakers 
and  individual  customers.     We  consider  we  have  by  far  the 
best  line  of  these  Satteens  in  stock  of  any  house  in  this  city. 
Trusting  we  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  hearing  from  you, 
we  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  (94) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION'.  41 

Mrs.  JAMES  PARSONS, 

Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Madam:  We  beg  to -acknowledge  receipt  of  your 
favor  of  the  3ist  ult,  and  we  have  forwarded  by  mail  tlic 
ribbon  ordered.  We  omit  the  black  goods,  being  entirely  out 
of  the  line  represented  by  your  sample.  We  enclose  herewith 
a  sample  of  a  similar  style  of  goods,  in  a  narrow  stripe.  The 
stripe  runs  around,  as  you  will  see,  but  the  width  is  such  as 
will  allow  cutting  the  other  way,  thus  bringing  the  stripe  as 
you  wish.  We  also  enclose  a  sample  of  plain  goods  to  match 
and  shall  reserve  both  for  your  instructions. 

Very  truly  yours,  ( '  °  5  ) 

Mrs.  J.  B.  HARRIS, 

Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Madam :  Your  favor  received,  also  coat  returned, 
which  we  regret  exceedingly  does  not  fit  satisfactorily.  We 
are  unable  to  comply  with  your  request  to  accept  it  back  and 
give  credit,  as  it  is  strictly  contrary  to  our  rules  to  return  to 
stock  any  garment  which  has  been  altered.  If  you  will  kindly 
favor  us  by  calling,  so  that  our  fitter  may  see  the  coat  on  you, 
we  feel  confident  that  we  can  rectify  the  faults  complained  of. 
We  hold  the  garment  subject  to  your  instructions,  which  you 
will  please  favor  us  with  by  return  mail,  and  oblige. 

Yours  truly,  (I08) 

Messrs.  J.  WORTHINGTON  &  SONS, 
Fall  River,  Mass. 

Gentlemen:  We  are  sorry  to  see,  from  your  favor  of  loth 
inst.,  that  we  have  given  you  cause  for  dissatisfaction  in 
regard  to  the  case  of  Prints  forwarded  to  you  Nov.  28th.  On 
examination  of  our  stock  and  sales  books  we  find,  to  our  sur- 
prise and  regret,  that  a  mistake  was  made  in  valuing  those 
goods.  The  error  was  made  either  by  the  order  clerk  who 
called  them  off,  or  the  entry  clerk  who  charged  them.  We 
therefore  request  you  to  charge  us  with  one  cent,  per  yard 
overcharge  on  the  entire  30  pieces,  making  $12.  altogether. 

Hoping  you  will  accept  our  apologies  for  the  mistake,  and 
for  the  trouble  it  has  caused. 

Yours  respectfully,  (121) 


42  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mrs.  JOHN  BROWN, 

Belmar,  N.  J. 

Dear  Madam  :  Your  favor  of  the  gth  received,  and,  in  reply, 
we  beg  to  say  that  we  reserved  the  cape  referred  to,  the 
required  length  of  time,  after  which  it  was  placed  in  stock 
and  it  was  sold  only  a  short  time  before  your  message  was 
received.  We  could  order  the  same  style  specially  for  you 
and  send  it  in  ten  days'  time,  but,  fearing  this  may  be  too  late 
for  you,  we  send  another  style  of  garment  herewith,  for  your 
inspection,  which  we  trust  will  be  satisfactory. 

Yours  truly,  (96) 

i 

Mrs.  J.  A.  FISHER, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Madam  :  We  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your 
favor,  and,  in  reply,  would  say  that  the  half-yard  of  jetted 
lace  was  sent  with  your  other  purchases  and  should  have 
been  delivered  with  them  on  Friday.  Our  packer  has  signed 
the  check  for  having  enclosed  the  lace,  and  we  will  therefore 
feel  obliged  if  you  will  carefully  re-examine  the  contents  of 
the  package  received,  as  the  lace  may  have  been  overlooked 
in  unpacking. 

Yours  truly,  (82) 

Electrical  Construction  Correspondence. 

Messrs.  BROWN  CHASE  &  Co., 
Astoria,  L.  I. 

Gentlemen  :  As  the  largest  electrical  contractors  in  this  city, 
we  respectfully  call  attention  to  our  facilities  for  all  work 
required  in  the  installation  of  Electric  Light,  Heat  or  Power, 
whether  new  installations,  additions,  or  repairs. 

We  have  done  the  most  important  work  contracted  for  in 
this  industry,  since  our  organization  in  1892  as  successors  to 
the  Wiring  and  Installation  Department  of  the  Dawson  Elec- 
tric Illuminating  Co.,  of  New  York. 

Our  work  is  of  the  best  quality  but  reasonable  in  price.  We 
compete  for  it  under  any  cDmpetent  specifications,  or,  in 
absence  of  other  specification,  our  new  propositions  prescribe 
the  most  rigid  adherence  to  the  proper  requirements  of  first- 
class  work,  which  we  guarantee. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  4- 

Ours  is  a  large  company,  with  ample  capital,  and  the  value 
of  our  guarantee  is  equal  to  the  largest  contract  that  may  be 
concerned.  This  question  of  responsibility  is  most  desirous 
and  important. 

We  can  complete  contracts  in  the  shortest  possible  time 
from  the  receipt  of  the  order  till  we  deliver  the  certiticuies  of 
the  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters  and  the  New  York  Fire 
Department. 

On  receipt  of  a  postal  or  telephone  call,  one  of  our  agents 
will  call  on  you  immediately  and  give  any  desired  information. 

Yours  truly,  (208) 

Messrs.  MORRIS,  ADAM  &  Co., 
Pittsburg,  Pa. 

Gentlemen  :  We  recently  had  an  inquiry  in  regard  to  oper- 
ating rolls  for  breaking  up  iron  bars  by  an  electric  motor  of 
approximately  1 5o-horse-power.  The  average  speed  of  a 
motor  of  this  size  is  between  500  and  600  revolutions,  and  this 
speed  would  have  to  be  reduced  to  something  like  ten  to 
eighteen  revolutions  of  the  rolls  themselves. 

You,  of  course,  understand  that  this  work  is  such  that  the 
entire  load  comes  on  the  motor  suddenly,  and  we  expect  to  put 
a  heavy  fly-wheel  on  the  motor  shaft  to  carry  it  over  these 
points  of  excessive  loads. 

Will  you  kindly  advise  us  in  regard  to  your  experience  with 
the  use  of  a  worm  and  a  worm  wheel  to  reduce  this  speed  of 
the  motor  to  that  required  by  the  roll.  Also  any  information 
in  regard  to  this  class  of  work  which  you  may  have  had 
experience  with  will  be  greatly  appreciated  by 

Yours  very  truly,  (l65) 

Mr.  H.  J.  THOMPSON, 

Sudbury,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir:  We  enclose  herewith  blue-print  showing  founda- 
tions for  engines  for  the  Sudbury  power  station. 

We  have  laid  out  these  foundations  for  two  Buckeye 
engines  of  the  same  size  as  the  one  now  ordered,  which,  we 
understand  from  Mr.  Holmes,  has  been  shipped.  The  engine 
contemplated  for  the  future  will  be  a  right-hand  engine.  The 
Ball  engine  which  you  intend  to  use  temporarily  is  located  as 
shown  on  the  blue-print.  The  high  pressure  cylinder  will 
rest  temporarily  on  the  6x8  yellow  pine  beam,  which 


44  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

extends  across  the  two  Buckeye  foundations.  When  the 
second  Buckeye  engine  is  received,  this  yellow  pine  beam  can 
be  moved  if  thought  desirable. 

We  should  recommend  placing  the  foundation  bolts  of  the 
future  engine  in  position  while  the  masonry  is  being  built, 
although  they  can  be  placed  in  the  brick  work  at  some  future 
time  if  desired.  The  opening,  2"  x  18",  at  the  rear  end  of  the 
foundation,  should  be  either  arched  over  or  iron  plate  put 
across  it.  This  opening  is  for  the  injection  pipe  for  the 
condenser. 

Very  truly  yours,  (l85) 

Mr.  F.  C.  WILLS, 

Bangor,  Me. 

Dear  Sir :  We  have  been  informed  that  you  are  interested 
in  promoting  an  electric  railroad  to  run  between  Bangor  and 
Northport,  and  that  you"  v/ill  probably  require  a  power  station 
in  addition  to  the  electrical  equipment  of  the  road. 

We  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  our  facilities  for  under- 
taking the  engineering  of  such  a  project,  hoping  that  it  may 
lead  to  your  placing  this  department  in  our  hands.  We  are 
prepared  to  undertake  all  of  the  engineering  connected  with 
an  electrical  railroad  from  the  preliminary  estimates  and 
surveys  up  to  and  including  the  entire  plant,  power  station 
and  all. 

With  your  kind  permission,  we  will  call  upon  you  within  a 
few  days  for  the  purpose  of  talking  over  this  matter. 

Yours  truly,  (128) 

Mr.  W.  W.  CLARKSON, 

Worcester,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  herewith  mail  you  blue-print  showing  the 
anchor  bolts  and  print  for  the  roof  trusses  as  corrected  by  the 
Lymann  Iron  Works.  Also  blue-print  of  the  floor-framing 
for  the  engine-room,  and  one  print  of  the  corrected  engine 
foundations.  We  have  found  it  necessary  to  make  a  further 
correction  of  these  foundations,  and  would  request  that  you 
return  the  first  two  prints  of  these  which  we  mailed  you.  We 
regret  that  these  changes  were  necessary,  and  trust  that  you 
have  made  no  great  headway  on  these  engine  foundations. 

You  will  note  on  the  flooring  plan  that  two  of  the  posts  cut 
through  a  part  of  the  dynamo  foundations.  Inasmuch  as  the 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  45 

foundation  soil  is  of  very  good  quality,  we  do  not  think  anv 
vibration  will  be  transmitted  to  the  floors  from  these  dynamos. 
We  also  enclose  a  short  specification  of  what  we  consider 
would  be  good  flooring  for  this  engine-room.  \Ye  trust  that 
you  will  find  it  satisfactory. 

Very  truly  yours,  i  17.;) 

Express  Correspondence, 

Mr.  JAS.  BALDWIN,  Superintendent, 
St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Dear  Sir:  Referring  to  shortage  of  $10.00  from  package 
consigned  to  Miss  D.  Domino,  La  Blanche,  Ohio,  ycur 
decision  in  this  matter  is  proper;  it  being  the  duty  of 
Messenger  Rickards,  en  discovering  the  package  in  bad 
order,  to  have  the  contents  counted,  and  to  do  so  before  the 
package  left  his  hands.  This  course  would  have  established 
the  fact  of  the  amount  delivered  to  him,  and  put  the  responsi- 
bility on  the  parties  at  Omaha,  Neb. 

However,  there  is  a  point  in  this  particular  transaction 
that  I  think  it  would  be  well  to  investigate.  You  will 
probably  remember  that  we  had  some  trouble  with  the 
transfer  man  at  Des  Moines,  la.,  some  time  ago,  when  it  was 
shown  there  was  $20.00  abstracted  from  a  package  passing 
through  his  hands  at  that  point,  which  amount  was  collected 
from  said  transfer  man,  and  he  being  dismissed  from  service. 
If  this  package  was  at  Des  Moines  long  enough  to  be 
tampered  with,  and  was  handled  by  the  same  party,  I  think  it 
would  be  well  to  make  a  close  investigation  regarding  the 
shortage  in  this  package  at  that  point.  Please  look  into  the 
matter  at  Des  Moines,  and  return  me  the  papers  with  what 
information  you  obtain. 

Yours  truly,  (209) 

Mr.  B.  J.  JAMES,  Superintendent, 

New  Orleans,  La. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  enclose  you  herewith  a  batch  of  papers  showing 
the  carelessness  in  billing  at  some  of  our  offices,  also  poor 
checking  on  the  part  of  messengers.  These  are  only  a  few 
cases  out  of  the  many  frequently  occurring,  and  some 
measure  should  be  adopted  immediately  to  have  this 
corrected.  This  lax  attention  to  instructions,  as  you  know, 


46  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

causes  no  end  of  trouble,  and  very  often  claims  and  subse- 
quent loss  to  the  Company. 

There  is  no  excuse  whatever  for  such  carelessness,  and  I 
want  you  to  issue  stringent  instructions  to  Agents  and 
Messengers  to  the  effect  that  more  care  must  be  taken,  and 
that  the  instructions  regarding  the  billing  and  checking  of 
freight  must  be  strictly  followed.  Those  parties  not  com- 
plying with  such  instructions  should  be  removed.  Please 
return  enclosures. 

Yours  truly,  (I4I) 

Messrs.  J.  W.  HAMILTON, 
Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  We  beg  to  advise  }7ou  that  the  firm  of  Hill 
and  Weir,  formerly  of  No.  82  State  Street,  New  York,  has 
been  dissolved  and  its  affairs  liquidated.  We,  the  under- 
signed, sole  members  of  the  late  firm  of  Hill  and  Weir,  desire 
to  inform  our  friends  that  we  have  associated  ourselves  with 
the  old-established  firm  of  Fargo  and  Co.,  at  No.  99  Broad- 
way, New  York,  and  will  attend  to  the  management  of  their 
Foreign  Express  and  Forwarding  Department.  In  making 
this  change,  we  desire  to  thank  our  friends  for  many  kind- 
nesses extended,  and  to  respectfully  solicit  a  continuance  of 
their  shipment  through  Fargo  and  Co. 

Assuring  you  that  no  pains  shall  be  spared  to  protect  your 
interests  at  all  times,  we  remain, 

Yours  respectfully. 


THE  20TH  CENTURY  DELIVERY  Co., 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  You  collected  from  this  address,  on  Monday 
last,  a  package  containing  a  quantity  of  books  for  Miss  E.  B. 
James,  Front  Ave.  and  Scott  Street,  Brooklyn,  and,  as  you 
will  see  from  the  enclosed  telegram,  the  package  is  still 
undelivered. 

As  these  books  were  for  a  class  that  commenced  on  Monday 
evening,  the  delay  has  been  of  the  greatest  inconvenience. 
Please  look  into  the  matter  immediately,  and  make  us  a 
report  on  same. 

Yours  truly, 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  47 

Messrs.  WELLS  &  Co., 

Boston,  Mass. 

Gentlemen  :  Our  Providence  Agency  has  advised  that  your 
shipment  C.O.D.  $3.05  of  November  7th,  'oo,  to  A.  Cussell, 
is  still  on  hand  uncalled  for,  although  consignee  has  been 
duly  notified.  We  will  be  pleased  to  receive  written 
instructions  by  return  mail  intended  to  relieve  us  of  this 
shipment.  Please  be  advised  that  the  shipment  is  held  at 
your  risk  in  quite  every  particular,  our  liability  in  no  event 
exceeding  that  of  warehousemen. 

Yours  truly,  (82) 

Mr.  R.  H.  CALHOUN,  Agent, 
Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir:  Referring  to  the  enclosed  St.  Louis  to  Chicago 
way-bill,  No.  115,  of  May  i3th,  1900,  on  which  is  entered  one 
coop  of  poultry,  and  one  crate  of  eggs,  addressed  to  Williams 
and  Co.,  you  will  note  from  notation  of  Messenger  Weil  and 
Agent  Gurney  that  these  two  shipments  were  marked  "  F.  J. 
Wilmer."  I  would  like  you  to  explain  this  manner  of  billing. 
Greater  care  should  be  exercised  in  billing  to  see  that  goods 
are  billed  correctly;  otherwise,  it  will,  in  many  cases,  cause 
loss  to  the  Company,  to  say  nothing  about  trouble.  You  will 
see  that  in  future  such  mistakes  are  avoided. 

Please  return  the  enclosed  with  full  explanation. 

Yours  truly,  (I21) 

Mr.  JAS.  BENJAMIN,  Superintendent, 

St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Dear  Sir :  Referring  to  claim  of  Bull  &  Brindle,  Bellows 
Falls,  Vt,  $50.00,  the  principal  delay  in  our  hands  was  at 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  occasioned  by  the  shipment  arriving  at  that 
point  on  Saturday  night,  when  no  transfer  is  made.  Had  the 
draft  accompanied  the  bonds,  there  would  have  been  no 
occasion  for  protesting,  neither  would  there  have  been  a  great 
deal  of  delay  in  returning  the  money.  As  we  understand  it, 
this  draft  was  sent  by  mail  and  the  bonds  by  express,  and  by 
reason  of  the  bonds  not  arriving  prior  to  the  draft,  same  was 
protested.  These  papers  show  that  the  bonds  were  received 
at  destination  on  the  29111  of  March,  and  that  the  draft  was 
protested  on  the  28th.  The  billing  and  routing  of  this  ship- 
ment via  Philadelphia  is  in  accordance  with  the  instructions 


40  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

contained  in  transfer  tariff.  Hence,  the  Agent  at  Bellows 
Falls,  Vt,  is  in  no  way  at  fault  in  the  routing  of  the  matter. 
Under  the  circumstances,  I  do  not  see  that  we  are  at  fault, 
and,  consequently,  must  decline  to  participate  in  the  claim. 
All  papers  returned  to  you  herewith. 

Yours  truly,  (195) 

Mr.  C.  S.  BOWERS, 

Sherman,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir:  It  very  frequently  happens,  that  in  entering  the 
amount  of  prepaid  freight  on  our  bills  of  lading,  errors  are 
made,  and  when  we  discover  them  they  are  returned  for 
correction,  which  is  always  promptly  made,  and  the  bills  of 
lading  returned  to  us  ;  but  it  seems  the  corrections  are  not 
made  on  the  statements  returned  to  us  at  the  end  of  the 
month,  and  in  that  way  a  good  deal  of  trouble  is  caused,  not 
only  to  ourselves  but  also  to  your  clerks  in  discovering  the 
discrepancies  between  the  two  accounts. 

We  would  suggest  that  when  the  correction  is  made  on  the 
bill  of  lading,  it  should  be  made  on  the  statement,  and  in  this 
way  much  trouble  would  be  saved  to  us  both. 

Yours  truly,  (T34) 

Mr.  W.  B.  JAMES, 

New  Orleans,  La. 

Dear  Sir :  A  new  transfer  tariff  is  about  to  be  made  up  for 
Louisiana.  I  send  you  herewith  list  of  points  in  your  terri- 
tory, with  request  that  you  state  if  transfer  of  matter  can  be 
made  at  each.  Please  make  your  statement  complete,  and  at 
points  where  transfer  cannot  be  made  give  the  reason.  Please 
return  the  list  with  your  reply  as  soon  as  possible. 

Yours  truly,  (74) 

Mr.  B.  J.  Low,  Supt., 

Galveston,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  letter  of  May  6th  attached,  in 
regard  to  Messenger  Pugh's  excuse  for  not  "checking  his  run, 
I  beg  to  say  he  had  but  21,055  ^s-  °f  freight  in  the  two  cars, 
and  it  seems  to  me,  under  these  circumstances,  he  should 
have  had  ample  room  to  check  his  run.  I  want  you  to  keep  a 
close  watch  on  this  messenger,  and  if  he  continues  to  neglect 
checking,  we  will  have  to  make  a  change. 

Yours  truly,  (88) 


BUSINFSS    DICTATION. 


49 


Mr.  T-  H.  KAUFMAN,  Agent, 

Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  The  matter  of  tracing  shipment  of  stoves  from 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  to  New  York,  N.  Y.,  will  bear  considerably 
further  investigation,  as  we  think  it  is  impossible  for  such  a 
shipment  to  get  lost.  It  certainly  would  not  be  stolen,  and 
must  be  lying  at  some  point,  no  doubt,  probably  without  murk. 
We  understand  that  car  on  train  No.  30,  on  which  it  is  sup- 
posed these  stoves  were  carried,  was  switched  into  the  yards 
after  its  arrival  at  New  York,  and  it  is  possible  these  stoves 
were  left  in  the  car,  and  the  railroad  employees,  supposing 
them  to  be  the  property  of  the  Railroad  Company,  may  have 
taken  them  out  of  car,  in  which  case  they  are  probably  lying 
in  the  yards  at  present.  I  wish  you  would  investigate  and 
ascertain  what  was  done  with  this  car  on  its  arrival,  and 
particularly  as  to  the  possibility  of  these  stoves  now  being  in 
the  possession  of  the  Railroad  Company. 

Yours  truly,  (167) 

Mr.  J.  W.  MARKLEY, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir  :  There  seems  to  be  no  remarks  from  you  in  the 
papers  received  regarding  the  validity  of  this  claim  and 
evidence  that  the  shipment  reached  St.  Louis  office,  nor  does 
there  seem  to  be  a  complete  copy  of  way-bill  herein  showing 
check-marks,  etc.  We  would  like  to  be  apprised  of  the 
evidence  that  this  shipment  reached  your  office  and  that  this 
is  a  proper  expense  to  be  charged  to  this  Company  before 
approving  voucher. 

Yours  truly,  (83) 

Financial  Standing  Correspondence. 

Messrs.  COWAN  &  Co., 

Concord,  N.  H. 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  your  favor  of  March  2d,  inquiring 
about  The  Ellis  Stationery  and  Manufacturing  Company,  of 
Winnipeg,  Manitoba.  We  have  sold  these  people  in  a  small 
way,  and  payments  have  been  prompt.  We  consider  them  a 
fair  risk  for  their  wants,  and  should  not  hesitate  at  all  to  sell 
them  the  amount  you  mention. 

Yours  truly,  (64) 

4  D.B.  J>  V    ^' 


50  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  FABER  &  SONS, 

300  Union  Square,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  In  reply  to  your  favor  of  the  22d  inst,  we  have 
sold  the  Monroe  Stationery  Company,  since  the  organization 
of  the  Company,  bills  ranging  from  $25  to  $75,  which  they 
have  paid  at  maturity.  We  consider  them  a  very  fair  risk  for 
a  reasonable  line  of  credit.  They  are  successors  of  Robert  D. 
Monroe,  who  failed  some  years  ago,  and  the  father  and 
brother,  who  were  his  largest  creditors,  took  the  business  and 
are  continuing  it.  Robert  D.  Monroe  started  a  new  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  R.  D.  Monroe  &  Co.,  and  we  suppose 
the  two  concerns  are  dividing  the  business.  They  are  un- 
questionably good  for  the  amounts  you  mention. 

Yours  truly,  (I25) 

Mr.  JOHN  JONES, 

Bangor,  Me. 

Dear  Sir:  Replying  to  yours  of  the  igth  ult,  concerning 
Mr.  Candee,  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  this  party  was  hardly  justified  in 
referring  to  us,  as  we  have  had  but  one  small  transaction  with 
him,  and  that  very  recently,  and  which  was  unsettled  at  the 
time  you  wrote,  hence  the  delay  in  our  reply.  This  transac- 
tion has  given  us  a  little  trouble,  and  while  we  have  every 
reason  to  think  Mr.  C.  is  honest  enough,  we  hardly  think  he 
is  entitled  to  much  credit,  and  we  should  be  rather  unwilling 
to  sell  him  again  except  for  cash. 

You  will  of  course  consider  this  communication  confidential, 
and  take  it  for  what  it  may  be  worth,  as  we  do  not  wish  to  do 
the  party  an  injustice. 

Yours  truly,  031) 

Fire  Insurance  Correspondence. 

THE  HAVEN  INS.  Co., 

Chicago,  111. 

Gentlemen :  Referring  to  your  inquiry  regarding  Policy 
No.  3264,  L.  E.  Martin,  we  beg  to  advise  that  a  mortgage  for 
$5,000.00  on  his  entire  plant  was  given  to  Messrs.  Calvert  and 
Goss,  to  secure  them  for  endorsements  amounting  to  $4,500.00. 

Mr.  Martin  is  an  honest  and  straightforward  man,  and  no 
moral  hazard  about  him  ;  but  his  sales  have  been  slow,  and 
collections  poor,  thus  necessitating  this  step.  However,  his 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  51 

goods  are  all  new  and  saleable,  and  he  will  have  no  difficulty 
in  disposing  of  them,  and  paying  off  his  indebtedness. 

I  have  reduced  your  poliqy  to  $1,600.00,  which  now  leaves 
but  $2,000.00  on  stock,  which  inventories  over  $4,000.00. 

The  risk  is  all  right,  and  I  should  advise  to  continue  it. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  ( i2</) 

Mr.  ROBERT  H.  DERBY, 
Dana,  Iowa. 

Dear  Sir:  Referring  to  your  favor  of  the  i2th  inst.,  with 
reference  to  Electric  Light  Plant  insured  under  policy  No.  1456, 
I  beg  to  say  that  in  my  judgment  you  make  a  mistake  in  not 
carrying  this  risk  at  the  high  rate  paid  for  it,  being  a  substan- 
tial brick  building  with  iron  roof,  and  within  a  100  feet  of  our 
Waterworks  building.  If  the  special  hazard  adjacent  should 
burn,  the  damage  on  this  risk  would  be  small.  There  is 
certainly  no  moral  hazard,  and  the  plant  is  making  money.  If 
this  is  not  good  business  at  this  rate,  then  there  is  nothing  in 
this  section  of  the  country  that  I  can  give  you.  I  would 
cancel  at  once  and  give  it  to  some  other  company  if  it  were 
not  for  the  fact  that  all  my  companies  are  carrying  large  lines 
in  that  vicinity. 

If  you  insist  upon  cancellation,  I  will  relieve  you  at  once  on 
your  reply  to  that  effect. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  (167) 

Mr.  L.  B.  BOYD,  General  Agent, 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir :  Enclosed  herewith  please  find  proof  of  loss 
under  policy  No.  613— $2,000,  issued  to  B.  L.  James;  loss 
settled  for  $927.00;  Pennsylvania's  proportionate  part  of  loss 
$612.75.  All  indications  tend  to  show  that  the  loss  was  an 
honest  one,  and  settlement  very  fair.  The  Springfield  has 
been  recommended  fo  pay  the  loss  cash,  and  agents  state  that 
they  will  pay  cash,  and  ask  that  the  Pennsylvania  do  likewise. 
If  it  is  convenient,  I  ask  that  you  send  check  to  cover  amount 
of  loss ;  but,  if  you  think  it  best  and  advantageous  to  the 
Company,  do  not  think  that  our  interests  will  surfer  to  wait  the 
sixty  days  before  making  payment. 

I  was  over  at  Ft.  Worth  yesterday  on  the  Cooper  loss,  but 
nothing  could  be  accomplished.  While  there  I  received  a 
telegram  from  Agent  Grove,  stating  that  Mr.  A.  Whitney  had 


52  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

refused  to  accept  the  face  of  the  polic}'.  As  I  understood  the 
telegram,  he  wanted  interest  and  court  costs.  On  receipt  of 
the  same,  I  returned  here  immediately  in  order  to  be  able  to 
secure  our  attorney's  immediate  attention  if  you  decided  to 
resist  the  claim,  and  now  have  before  me  your  telegram  of 
to-day,  in  which  you  advise  that,  if  we  have  any  grounds 
whatever  to  make  a  successful  defense,  to  arrange  for  a 
vigorous  opposition  to  the  Whitney  claim.  I  think  we  have 
some  excellent  grounds  for  a  good  defense ;  that  is,  as  good  as 
can  be  had  under  the  valued  policy  law. 

Yours  truly,  (258) 

Mr.  CHARLES  BALE, 

Gosport,  Ind. 

Dear  Sir :  I  desire  to  again  call  your  attention  to  a  balance 
of  $9.04  due  the  Manchester  Fire  Insurance  Company  from 
your  old  agency. 

This  matter  has  been  called  to  your  attention  several  times, 
and  the  whole  thing  explained  to  you  by  Mr.  Graves  and 
myself,  and  I  can  see  no  p;ood  reason  why  it  should  not  be 
paid.  The  amount  is  too  small  to  allow  it  to  run  unpaid 
longer,  and  you  must  either  pay  it,  or  it  will  be  charged 
against  me. 

If  the  circumstances  connected  with  this  balance  have 
slipped  your  memory,  please  be  so  kind  as  to  call  on  Mr.  J.  A. 
Wills,  who  will,  undoubtedly,  be  able  to  explain  the  matter  to 
your  satisfaction,  as  he  is  thoroughly  conversant  with  the 
facts.  I  sincerely  hope  to  hear  from  you  with  remittance  by 
return  mail. 

Yours  truly,  (J45) 

Mr.  HENRY  J.  BOTJER, 
Piano,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir :  The  Company  has  handed  me  your  letter  of  the 
2Qth  ult.,  in  reference  to  a  matter  of  rate  cutting  indulged  in 
by  the  other  agencies  in  your  town. 

It  would  seem,  from  a  casual  glance  at  the  "letter,  that  you 
would  wish  to  do  likewise,  in  order  to  protect  your  interests. 

In  reply,  I  should  ask  you  to  favor  me  with  a  complete 
history  of  this  little  unpleasantness,  so  that  I  may  be  better 
posted  in  instructing  you  in  reference  to  our  interests.  Please 
let  me  hear  from  you  promptly,  and  oblige, 

Yours  very  truly,  (103) 


liUSlNESS    DICTATION.  53 

THE  HOME  INS.  Co., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Referring  to  your  favor  of  the  51)1  in>t., 
regarding  claim  for  loss  and  damage  under  policy  No.  2,  \  09,867 
— C.  Jenkins,  we  beg  to  say  that  your  Mr.  Stearns  asked  me 
to  close  up  the  matter,  but  gave  me  to  understand  it  was  a 
very  small  amount.  When  I  came  to  see  Mr.  Jenkins,  he 
wanted  an  entire  new  carpet,  and  I  thought  best  to  close  it  up 
at  the  figures  named  in  the  proofs.  I  told  him  I  would  submit 
his  claim  and  he  understands  that  it  does  not  bind  the  Com- 
pany. I  am  informed  that  Mr.  Jenkins  now  says  he  will  not 
settle  at  the  amount  claimed  in  proofs,  but  will  make  claim 
for  an  entire  new  carpet.  As  the  matter  stands  he  is  bound 
by  his  claim  of  $23.75,  but  we  are  not,  as  I  took  great  pains  to 
impress  upon  him  that  I  was  not  authorized  to  settle  at  such 
figures.  I  think  the  best  way  out  of  the  matter  now,  is  to  pay 
the  amount  of  his  claim  and  get  rid  of  him.  Sorry  that  you 
censure  me  so' much,  but  I  know  you  would  not  if  you  had 
known  the  facts  ;  therefore,  I  do  not  care. 

Yours  very  truly,  (21°) 

STAN  WOOD  MORTGAGE  Co., 

Stanwood,  Iowa. 

Gentlemen  :  Enclosed  please  find  cancellation  receipt  which 
please  sign  and  return  me  together  with  the  Columbian  policy 
No.  1062,  as  the  Company  refuses  to  carry  the  risk  on  account 
of  foreclosure  proceedings  having  been  commenced.  I  will 
write  you  another  policy  in  place  of  it,  commencing  Monday 
noon,  and  will  hold  it  here  until  the  Company  have  time  to 
cancel  if  they  wish  to  do  so.  In  the  meantime  I  will  keep  the 
property  covered  until  I  advise  you  to  the  contrary. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  (90) 

Mr.  JAMES  BRAGG, 

Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Policy  203,645 — Jones.  This  being  on  the  con- 
tents of  a  stable,  without  the  dwelling,  and  at  the  very  low 
rate  of  fifty  cents  for  two  years — also  being  mortgaged  pro- 
perty— is  something  we  do  not  care  to  insure.  Kindly  relieve 
us  of  the  risk,  and  return  policy  without  delay,  and  oblige, 

Yours  very  truly,  (61) 


54  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Flour  and  Feed. 

Mr.  C   B.  MILLS, 

Holyokc,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  just  to  hand.  We  did  not  intend  to 
be  understood  as  willing  to  sell  the  middlings  in  small  lots  at 
$18.  We  offered  ycu  the  ten  tons  at  $18  in  order  to  close 
them  out,  but  if  we  must  sell  in  small  lots,  we  want  full  price, 
which  to-day  is  $18.75.  However,  if  you  will  send  us  a  check 
for  the  balance  as  per  enclosed  bill,  we  will  close  out  the 
middlings  to  you,  but  as  stated  above,  we  cannot  sell  in  small 
lots  at  a  price  under  the  market. 

We  wish  you  would  do  more  with  the  "  Diamond  "  Flour. 
It  certainly  can  be  sold  in  your  market  if  you  push  it,  and  we 
have  done  most  everything  to  encourage  you  to  do  so,  but  you 
do  not  seem  inclined  to  handle  it  unless  you  can  get  it  at 
less  than  market  rates.  The  flour  is  cheap  to-day  at  $4.00 
and  will  probably  be  higher  soon,  and  we  would  like  to  close 
it  out  to  you.  Please  let  us  hear  from  you. 

Yours  truly,  (l&4) 

Mr.  J.  A.  HOLLAND, 

Medina,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  of  the  i8th  inst.  at  hand.  We  do  not 
quite  understand  from  your  letter  just  what  damage  you  claim. 
Will  you  please  make  us  an  itemized  bill  for  whatever  damage 
you  claim  occurred  to  the  flour ;  shortage,  damage  to  sacks, 
damage  to  barrels,  labor  for  putting  it  in  order,  etc.,  whatever 
the  items  are,  making  it  out  in  full  so  that  we  can  make  a 
claim  against  the  Railway  Co.  and  we  will  pay  your  claim 
promptly.  This  property  was  shipped  in  good  order,  and 
should  have  been  delivered  in  good  order,  therefore  the  Rail- 
way Co.  is  responsible,  but  we  will  not  ask  you  to  wait ;  we 
will  pay  your  claim  as  soon  as  you  give  us  a  bill  that  we  can 
understand. 

Very  truly  yours,  (137) 

Mr.  C.  G.  GALE, 

91ean,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  i8th  inst.  at  hand  and  will  have 
our  best  attention,  but  the  order  for  the  car  load  of  oats  for 
Mr.  Casson  we  are  obliged  to  decline.  We  would  like  to  buy 
at  more  money  than  he  offers.  The  lowest  price  we  can  now 
make  on  clipped  oats  is  3ic.  and  we  have  written  to  that  effect. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  ^; 

We  cannot  consider  Marshall's  offer  for  middlings.  \\V 
note  what  you  state  about  their  pushing  Imperial  Flour,  and 
that  is  exactly  what  we  expected,  and  that  is  why  we  want  to 
go  into  their  territory  and  sell  all  the  "Sunbeam"  Flour  we 
can,  and  as  I  have  previously  advised  you,  it  should  be  sold  in 
25  barrel  lots.  It  can  be  done,  as  our  Company  has  done  it 
before.  There  are  a  number  of  people  in  your  town  who  buy 
in  25  barrel  lots,  and  we  can  sell  to  them  if  you  make  the 
proper  effort  in  that  direction,  and  that  is  the  only  way  we 
can  keep  even  with  the  other  dealers. 

Very  truly  yours,  ( i  S; ) 

Messrs.  RILEY  &  SMITH, 
Orange,  N.  J. 

Gentlemen  :  Confirming  telegrams  that  have  passed  to-day, 
permit  us  to  notify  you  that  the  oats  are  subject  to  your  order 
at  Newark,  and  we  expect  you  to  dispose  of  them  and  refund 
our  money,  and  to  pay  for  our  services  in  the  effort  to  dispose 
of  them,  besides  the  loss  sustained  through  your  failure  to 
perform  }rour  contract,  bill  for  which  is  enclosed. 

If  you  had  shipped  us  old  oats,  according  to  contract,  we 
would  have  had  a  handsome  profit,  as  we  had  them  sold  at 
35c.  for  August  delivery,  and  we  can  see  no  reason  why  you 
are  not  liable  for  damages  sustained,  as  they  arc  the  result  of 
your  failure  to  perform  your  contract. 

We  will  make  draft  on  you,  including  this  bill  of  expenses 
and  loss,  as  soon  as  we  can  recover  the  bill  of  lading,  and  we 
trust  same  will  be  satisfactory. 

Yours  truly,  (156) 

JOHN  GLENN, 

Mil  ford,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  ist  inst.  at  hand. 
We  are  obliged  to  you  for  your  offer  of  $4.00  for  "matchless  " 
Flour  delivered  at  Milford,  but  we  will  have  to  decline  the 
offer.  The  present  price  of  the  Flour  delivered  at  Milford  is 
$4.20,  with  the  probability  that  it  will  be  higher.  If  you  will 
telegraph  us  an  answer  immediately  on  receipt  of  this  so  that 
we  can  get  the  order  booked  at  the  mill  at  once,  w'e  will  make 
the  price  on  a  car  load  $4.20  delivered.  It  will  be  useless  for 
you  to  telegraph  anything  less,  as  this  is  a  special  offer,  and 
unless  it  is  accepted  to-morrow  by  telegraph  it  is  withdrawn. 

Yours  truly,  (I25) 


56  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Furniture  Correspondence. 

Mr.  C.  A.  LEE, 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  inquiry  of  the  i6th  inst,  would 
say  that  our  1900  catalogue  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  printer, 
but  we  hope  to  have  it  ready  for  delivery  in  about  a  week, 
when  we  shall  be  pleased  to  mail  you  a  copy. 

We  shall  show  a  nice  line  of  chairs,  tables,  lounges,  desks, 
and  other  household  furniture. 

Trusting  the  short  delay  will  cause  you  no  inconvenience, 
and  hoping  to  be  favored  with  your  order,  we  remain, 
Yours  truly, 

(9°) 

Mr.  JAMES  B.  KAY, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir :  We  control  the  manufacturing  of  the  Quigley 
Desks,  Tucker  Suspension  Letter  and  Document  Files,  Walker 
Index  Cabinet  and  Card  Supplies  and  the  Wells  Letter  and 
Catalogue  Files. 

We  would  be  much  pleased  to  furnish  you  any  of  our 
product  that  you  may  require  for  your  office  and  to  accept 
50  per  cent,  of  the  price  in  advertising.  Kindly  advise  if  you 
are  in  the  market  for  office  supplies  of  any  kind,  and  if  so 
allow  us  to  submit  an  estimate. 

Yours  truly.  (89) 

Mr.  C.  P.  ELLIS, 

Kennedy,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir :  We  have  yours  of  the  3d,  enclosing  letter  from 
the  Texas  School  Supply  Company  under  date  of  Feb.  i5th. 
We  regret  to  say  that  we  cannot  furnish  the  desks  at  these 
prices,  nor  can  they  now,  as  the  factories  have  advanced  the 
prices  on  everyone.  The  prices  which  we  made  you  in  ours 
of  the  29th  ult.  are  the  very  lowest  that  we  could  make.  Of 
course,  the  freight  makes  a  difference  when  you  compare 
prices  with  those  made  you  by  the  T.S.S.  Co.,  as  theirs  were 
F.O.B.  at  the  factory,  and  ours  are  for  the  goods  delivered  at 
Kennedy. 

Awaiting  your  further  instructions  in  the  matter,  we  are, 
Yours  very  truly, 

(124) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  57 

Mr.  H.  H.  MOORE, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  this  mail  we  send  you  as  promised  our  cata- 
logue of  sectional  bookcases,  just  received  from  the  printers. 
The  prices  given  on  page  6  are  strictly  net. 

Our  "Non-Binding  door"  is  all  the  name  implies;  it  cannot 
be  made  to  bind  with  use  in  any  climate.  The  prime  objection 
to  bookcases  of  sectional  construction  has  been  binding,  wiggly 
doors.  Our  door  is  guaranteed  absolutely  non-binding. 

If  you  are  undecided  that  you  would  like  a  bookcase  of 
sectional  construction  we  would  recommend  you  to  purchase 
one  or  two  sections  to  begin  with,  and  we  will  gladly  have 
you  return  to  us,  at  our  expense,  any  goods  that  at  the  end  of 
thirty  days  you  may  conclude  are  not  what  you  desire.  Kindly 
acknowledge  receipt  of  this  catalogue,  and  if  you  cannot  place 
with  us  an  early  order  please  advise  us  when  we  may  anticipate 
the  same,  and  oblige, 

Yours  truly,  (157^ 

Mr.  T.  C.  DEAN, 

Goldthwaite,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  of  the  3d  was  received  this  morning. 
The  order  is  a  nice  one,  but  we  are  very  sorry  to  hear  that 
you  have  had  to  work  so  many  schools  in  order  to  get  it. 
Mr.  Hightower  is  now  at  Lampasas,  and  will  prepare  other 
territory  for  you  when  you  are  through  there.  Concerning 
the  claim  of  trustees  that  they  have  received  circulars  offering 
desks  25  per  cent,  cheaper  than  ours ;  we  think  it  is  entirely 
probable  that  such  is  the  case.  It  is  equally  true  about  any 
other  business.  A  superior  article  always  brings  a  superior 
price.  There  are  desks  on  the  market  that  are  much  higher 
at  $2.50  than  the  desk  you  are  selling  is  at  $4.00.  That  is 
what  you  want  to  demonstrate  to  your  customers. 

We  send  you  to-day  some  blank  contracts  of  the  United 
States  School  Furnishing  Co.,  on  which  you  will  please  take 
orders  hereafter.  We  also  send  you  some  circulars  of  the 
Burlington  school  desk,  which  you  will  please  sell  till  further 
notice.  We  can,  if  you  wish,  send  you  a  sample  desk.  Sales 
can  be  made  much  more  readily  when  you  have  a  sample. 

With  best  wishes,  we  are, 

Yours  truly, 

(210) 


58  TWENTIETH   CENTURY   BUSINESS   DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  J.  R.  BOYD,  , 

Wharton,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir :  We  enclose  you  herewith  copy  of  Supt. 
Pritchett's  letter  concerning  furniture  that  is  purchased  to  go 
in  buildings  that  do  not  belong  to  the  state.  We  also  enclose 
some  blank  forms  of  release  to  be  signed  by  the  owners  or 
trustees  of  the  building.  If  you  will  show  this  ruling  to  the 
County  Judge,  and  have  the  release  properly  signed,  we  pre- 
sume he  will  have  no  objection  to  your  sending  in  the  orders 
that  you  have  taken  to  go  in  churches.  However,  if  he 
objects,  do  not  send  them  in.  We  wrote  R.  J.  M.  three  or 
four  days  ago,  and  enclosed  him  a  pass  for  himself  and 
Rosenburg  to  Dallas.  Would  like  }rou  to  come  in  about 
Wednesday  or  Thursday  of  next  week  if  you  get  through  in 
that  county. 

Yours  very  truly,  (142) 

Mr.  A.  G.  BAKER, 

Canton,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir :  We  are  in  receipt  of  a  communication  from  the 
Grand  Rapids  School  Furniture  Co.,  stating  that  you  are 
ready  to  place  an  order  for  school  furniture.  We  have  exclu- 
sive control  in  Texas  of  the  Grand  Rapids  desk  and  several 
others  of  the  leading  desks  made.  We  enclose  you  herewith 
circular  of  net  prices  to  agents.  We  will  be  glad  to  have  you 
take  the  order  in  question  and  send  it  in.  Your  commission 
will  be  due  in  cash  when  goods  are  delivered  and  accepted. 
Hoping  to  hear  from  you  at  your  earliest  convenience,  we  are, 

Yours  truly, 

(104) 

Mr.  J.  B.  FENNELL, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Referring  to  No.  131  (Colonial)  suite  ordered  for 
you,  and  which  you  ordered  in  Nile  Brocade,  same  wreave  and 
color  as  enclosed,  only  a  stripe,  we  regret  exceedingly  to  have 
to  inform  you  that  we  are  unable  to  furnish  the  striped  pattern. 
This  covering  was  ordered  in  import  over  three  months  ago, 
and  for  the  past  six  weeks  we  have  been  promised  the  goods 
almost  every  other  day,  and  this  morning  were  told  by  the 
importer  that  the  manufacturer  cabled  that  goods  could  not 
arrive  before  May  or  June.  As  we  have  sold  this  suite  to  a 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  59 

number  of  others  like  yourself,  you  can  see  our  situation. 
We  state  plain  facts  and  ask  your  kind  consideration.  The 
enclosed  sample  is  of  precisely  same  colors  and  weave  and 
quality  as  the  stripe  ordered,  and  we  are  substituting  it  on 
all  orders  as  the  pattern  is  one  appropriate  for  the  frame. 
Will  ycu  kindly  inform  us  if  we  may  put  it  on  your  suite? 
The  latter  has  been  all  ready  for  the  cover  for  over  ten  days, 
but  expectation  of  receiving  the  goods  ordered  lias  kept  it 
unfinished.  Will  deliver  suite  to  you  at  once. 

Yours  truly,  (206) 

THE  R.  L.  PHILPOTT  Co., 
Lowell,  Mass. 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  yours  of  the  yth,  and,  in  reply  to 
same,  we  would  say  that  up  to  the  present  we  have  heard 
nothing  from  the  railroad  company ;  and,  under  the  circum- 
stances, we  feel  that  we  have  extended  every  reasonable 
consideration  in  this  matter,  and  we  now  request  that  you  put 
in  hand  duplicate  of  the  missing  part  of  the  Bookcase,  and 
deliver  at  the  very  earliest  possible  moment. 

The  railroad  company,  of  course,  will  have  to  stand  the 
loss,  and  you  can  easily  recover  same  from  them.  As  we 
have  already  informed  you,  we  are  being  put  to  the  utmost 
inconvenience  in  this  matter,  and  we  shall  look  to  you  to  rush 
deliver}7'.  When  do  you  think  you  will  be  able  to  supply  the 
missing  part  ? 

Yours  truly,  (!36) 

Groceries. 

Mr.  JAMES  KENNEY, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  just  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  isth 
inst.  We  have  checked  over  your  order  for  canned  goods, 
pickles,  etc.,  and  find  that  everything  you  ordered  has  been 
shipped,  in  fact  all  the  goods  were  shipped  at  the  same  time, 
and  we  have  the  shipping  receipt  for  same,  which  we  herewith 
enclose  and  which  you  will  kindly  return.  Every  case  was 
carefully  marked,  and  we  do  not  see  how  the  case  of  canned 
peaches  could  have  gone  astray.  We  have  written  to  the 
railway  company  to  send  tracer  after  them  and  trust  you  will 
receive  them  all  right  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  if  not  let  us 
hear  from  you. 

Yours  truly,  (I24) 


60  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

C.  H.  MANLEY, 

Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  esteemed  order  for  six 
boxes  of  Canadian  Cheese  which  has  been  shipped  to  you  this 
morning,  and  we  trust  it  will  arrive  in  good  condition.  Regard- 
ing the  Imperial  Cheese,  it  is  not  sold  in  the  hoop  or  box,  and 
we  can  only  supply  it  to  you  in  small  jars  or  by  the  case.  We 
have  written  to  the  manufacturers  to  forward  you  a  sample 
half-dozen  case. 

Very  truly  yours,  (84) 

Mr.  JAMES  BARRY, 

Newburgh,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  submit  four  good  and  sufficient  reasons  for 
recommending  you  to  place  your  liberal  order  early,  with 
prices  on  our  famous  Premier  and  Nabob  brand  of  vegetables. 
Every  material  element  will  cost  higher  this  season  than  last, 
tin,  nails,  cases,  canners'  materials,  etc.  Should  we  make 
lower  prices  on  our  brands  during  packing  season  we  will  give 
buyers  the  benefit.  The  advantage  of  early  orders  will  assure 
early  fall  delivery  of  high  grade  goods.  We  guarantee 
quality  in  all  instances  to  be  fully  equal  to  previous  year's 
packing. 

We  would  call  special  attention  to  our  prices  on  asparagus, 
string  beans,  corn,  peas,  succotash  and  tomatoes. 

Yours  truly,  (JI5) 

Mr.  JAMES  RILEY, 

Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  favor  in  regard  to  coffee  received.  You  h:  \  c 
evidently  made  some  mistake  as  to  prices  quoted  you  by  other 
dealers  in  this  line  of  goods,  and  your  own  experience  should 
bear  you  out  in  the  fact  that  good  coffee  cannot  be  procured  at 
anywhere  near  the  price  you  state.  We  can  furnish  you  the 
grade  of  coffee  you  mention  either  green  or  roasted  at  a  lower 
price,  quality  considered,  than  any  other  dealer  in  the  city  as 
we  have  our  own  plantations  and  do  not  have  to  charge 
middleman's  profits.  We  send  you  samples  of  all  our  grades 
and  can  assure  you  that,  if  you  are  really  in  the  market  for 
good  coffee,  we  can  do  better  for  you  than  the  parties  to 
whom  you  make  reference. 

Yours  truly,  (X37) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  ft* 

Mr.  GF.O.  MASON, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  hand  you  memorandum  of  your  orders  for 
canned  goods  last  season  and  recommend  you  to  make  up 
your  list  for  new  goods  early,  especially  peas,  corn  and 
tomatoes,  as  there  is  every  prospect  of  higher  prices.  \Ye 
quote  you  Nanticoke  peas  at  350.,  Premier  Corn  at  250.,  Pre- 
mier Tomatoes  at  250.,  and  Superior  String  Beans  at  25c. 

Yours  truly,  (71) 

Mr.  CHAS.  BENSON, 

Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  the  course  of  our  regular  examination  we  find 
that  in  Bill  of  April  i4th,  we  charged  for  one-half  case  of 
"  Daisy  "  Condensed  Milk  at  $2.75,  whereas  we  shipped  you 
one-half  case  of  "  Eagle "  Condensed  Milk,  so  the  correct 
amount  should  be  $3.40.  We  enclose  bill  for  the  difference 
and  trust  you  will  accept  our  apology. 

Yours  truly,  (67) 

Hardware  Correspondence. 

THE  S.  B.  STETSON  Co.,  Ltd., 
Marshfield,  Cal. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  your  letter  of  the  i5th,  we  regret 
that  we  have  no  photographs  on  hand  of  brass  bedsteads.  We 
send  you  under  separate  cover  by  this  mail  catalogue  of  these 
goods.  Discount  is  40  per  cent,  from  the  revised  price  list 
enclosed  in  the  catalogue.  The  best  price  on  No.  142  bed  is 
$3.00  each  net. 

Your  orders  shall  receive  our  prompt  attention. 

Yours  truly,  (75) 

Mr.  G.  W.  RAYNOR, 

Lancaster,  N.  H. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  i7th  inst. 
and  hardly  think  it  is  possible  for  us  to  reduce  the  previous 
quotation  on  the  Morris  Chair  Rods.  However,  we  will  take 
this  matter  up  with  our  factory,  and  if  we  can  make  any  lower 
price  will  write  further  to  you.  We  do  not  think  we  should 
care  to  fill  an  order  for  a  smaller  quantity  of  these  rods  at  less 
than  $1.85  per  dozen. 

We  hope  to  be  favored  with  your  business  and  are, 

Yours  truly.  (q?) 


62  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  J.  DREXF.L  &  BRO., 
Chicago,  111. 

Gentlemen  :  We  enclose  you  herewith  copies  of  orders 
placed  with  us  by  Mr.  Fox  for  which  we  thank  you.  We  pre- 
sume that  you  will  send  us  your  numbers  or  labels  for  these 
goods,  the  same  as  you  have  done  in  the  past.  We  will  have 
electro-types  made  and  send  to  you  as  you  may  direct.  Will 
you  please  send  us  word  as  to  the  shipping  directions  for  the 
samples  ?  We  have  written  our  factory  to  get  these  ready 
just  as  quickly  as  possible. 

Thanking  you  in  advance  for  yotn  attention,  we  are, 

Yours  truly, 

(102) 
Mr.  A.  J.  MINER, 

New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Our  factory  have  carefully  looked  over  your 
sketch  of  bedsteads,  and  they  say  that  it  is  entirely  different 
from  anything  they  have  ever  made.  However,  we  have 
figured  on  a  bed  as  near  as  we  can  come  to  your  sketch.  We 
would  be  pleased  to  supply  you  with  one  like  our  regular 
No.  481,  the  head  and  foot  ends  to  have  one  cross  rod  instead 
of  two,  with  a  regular  attachable  spring.  This  spring  is  made 
of  all  iron,  the  sides  of  which  are  tubular.  The  height  from 
the  floor  of  the  foot  end  is  to  be  32",  the  head  end  47",  the 
width  of  the  bed  to  be  30",  and  the  length  81".  All  measure- 
ments given,  we  understand,  are  to  be  over  all.  Regarding 
the  attachments  that  are  to  be  put  on  each  head  and  foot  end, 
we  propose  to  use  our  regular  canopy  attachment,  which  is 
made  to  fit  the  pillars  of  the  bed,  and  to  hold  whatever  size 
rod  you  wish  to  put  in  same.  We,  therefore,  quote  you  on 
beds  made  as  above,  including  4  attachments,  as  follows : 

Bed  Style  No.  481  with  |"  pillars,  using  single  weave  fabric 
in  the  spring,  we  can  furnish  at  a  cost  of  $92.00  per  dozen 
net ; 

Made  with  |"  pillars  and  double  weave  fabric  in  the  spring, 
at  a  cost  of  $  107.00  per  dozen  net ; 

With  \"  pillars,  using  the  single  weave  fabric  in  the  spring, 
at  a  cost  of  $95.00  per  dozen  net ; 

With  i"  pillars,  using  double  weave  fabric  in  the  spring,  at 
a  cost  of  $110.00. 

Terms,  2  per  cent.  10  days,  F.O.B.  New  York. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION. 

We  have  named  you  exceedingly  close  figures  on  the  above 
and  should  be  pleased  to  receive  your  order.  Should  you 
favor  us  with  same,  please  give  us  the  height  of  the  mattress 
from  the  floor,  as  we  note  your  sketch  docs  not  give  this; 
also  give  us  the  diameter  of  the  rods  that  are  to  be  used  in 
the  attachments  on  the  head  and  foot  ends. 

We  return  your  sketch  herewith.     We  remain, 

Yours  truly 

(-58) 
Mr.  D.  H.  MAXON, 

Spencer,  W.  Va. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  favored  with  yours  of  the  lyth  inst.  As 
we  have  heard  from  the  factory  that  they  have  shut  down  for 
a  short  time,  we  have  thought  it  better  for  your  interest  to 
ship  the  entire  order  for  this  wire  in  25  yard  coils.  A  regular 
stock  box  of  this  contains  12-25  yd-  boxes,  equal  to  900  ft. 
There  are  but  8  of  these  boxes  needed  to  complete  your  order. 
Since  you  need  this  as  long  as  possible,  the  next  time  you 
require  this,  we  think  we  can  obtain  it  from  our  factory  in  a 
continuous  length  of  say  4,000  to  5,000  ft.  We  will  iind  out 
from  them  if  this  is  possible,  in  case  that  method  of  packing 
would  suit  you.  You  will  notice  that  to  pack  100  ft.  on  a  reel 
would  not  be  much  more  than  the  regular  stock  goods  which 
contain  25  yds.  or  75  ft. 

Trusting  that  our  action  will  be  satisfactory  to  you,  and 
that  the  goods  will  come  to  your  liking,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly, 

(182) 

Mr.  JOHN  E.  GREEN, 

Helena,  Mont. 

Dear  Sir  :  Some  time  ago  you  wrote  us  that  we  had  charged 
you  $2.00  per  gross  for  escutcheons,  instead  of  $1.75,  which 
was  the  price  you  said  our  agent  quoted.  Our  salesman  has 
recently  returned  from  his  trip,  and  states  that  you  must  be 
mistaken,  and  must  have  got  the  price  of  some  other  escut- 
cheon. He  has  no  such  price  as  $1.75  on  this  particular 
number,  and  has  never  sold  any  at  that  price,  so  we  think  that 
the  error  is  on  your  part.  Under  the  circumstances  we  can- 
not allow  the  reduction  and  the  account  stands  as  per  our 
books,  which  we  trust  will  be  satisfactory. 

Yours  truly,  0*3) 


64  TWENTIETH   CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

THE  JOHN  H.  SAMPSON  Co., 

New  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Mr.  Thompson  is  in  just  now,  and  we  were 
showing  him  your  photographs  of  Ancient  Armor.  If  you 
could  send  us  three  or  four  sets  of  these  photographs,  which 
we  could  distribute  to  our  men,  we  believe  that  it  would  be 
attended  with  good  results  for  you. 

We  have  not  yet  heard  from  you  as  to  the  discount  which 
you  will  allow  us  from  the  list  prices.  Kindly  write  us  in 
regard  to  this. 

Yours  truly,  (84) 

Mr.  R.  F.  GALES, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  reply  to  your  letter  received  to-day,  we  would 
say  that  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  ship  your  goods  last 
Wednesday,  as  the  order  did  not  reach  us  until  Wednesday 
morning,  10  a.m.  Immediately  upon  receipt  of  same,  we  had 
the  goods  selected,  and  same  will  be  shipped  to-day.  We 
have  sent  all  goods  forward  that  we  had  in  stock,  and  the 
balance  we  have  entered  on  back  order  book.  We  have 
ordered  the  brass  table  kettles  and  stand  to  be  sent  direct  to 
you  from  the  factory.  We  assure  you  that  we  are  doing  all 
that  we  possibly  can  to  get  the  goods  to  you  as  quick  as 
possible. 

Yours  truly,  (IJ6) 

Mr.  H.  C.  HORN, 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  compliance  with  your  request  of  the  5th  inst., 
we  have  mailed  you  one  of  our  latest  catalogues  and  lists,  and 
on  receipt  of  memorandum  order  will  be  much  pleased  to  sub- 
mit same  to  you  with  special  prices.  Our  extreme  prices,  such 
as  we  desire  to  quote  you,  are  net,  and  you  no  doubt  will  find 
this  the  most  satisfactory  and  explicit  way  to  note  them.  You 
will  please  see  from  catalogue  that  all  goods  are  put  up  in 
uniform  cases  with  quantities  in  cases  noted  under  each 
article,  a  most  advantageous  way  for  jobbers. 
Soliciting  your  favors,  we  are, 

Yours  truly, 

(109) 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  65 

Messrs.  C.  F.  JEMKIXS, 

Asheville,  N.  C. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  yours  of  the  36,  we  now  have  the 
pleasure  to  quote  for  106  Sockets,  square  pattern,  $28.  the  lot 
net.  56  Sockets,  round  pattern,  for  $12.00  the  lot  net. 

This  price  must  only  be  considered  as  approximate,  as  it  is 
very  unsatisfactory  to  estimate  on  goods  to  be  made  from 
patterns  which  we  have  not  seen.  We  assume  that  the 
patterns  will  be  suitable  for  our  flasks,  and  sufficient  number 
of  patterns  on  a  gate,  and  that  they  be  not  heavier  than  is 
sufficient  to  run  properly  in  the  moulds.  The  above  prices 
are  for  brass;  for  bronze  the  106  pieces  would  cost  $31.00, 
and  the  56  pieces  $15.00.  We  have  figured  on  polishing  the 
outside  of  the  square  sockets,  leaving  the  inside  smooth,  as 
coming  from  the  sand,  countersinking  the  holes  for  the  screws. 

We  assume  that  the  small  center  hole  is  flush  with  the 
outside  of  the  casting,  and  has  no  boss  or  raided  relief.  Same 
remarks  would  apply  to  the  round  one. 

Yours  truly,  (18°) 

THE  ART  FURNITURE  Co., 
Rockford,  111. 

Gentlemen  :  Our  Chicago  Office  writes  us  under  date  of 
May  1 2th,  asking  a  quotation  for  you  on  No.  82  Furniture  Nail, 
in  quantities  of  50,000  or  more,  in  one  shipment.  They  state 
that  you  require  this  Nail  in  Gilt,  also  lacquered.  We  do 
not  quite  understand  what  the  latter  means.  We  do  not 
carry  this  nail  in  stock,  or  would  send  you  a  sample.  The 
list  price  on  the  Gilt  is  $4.25  per  thousand,  and  on  the  Antique 
finish  $5.25  per  thousand.  From  these  list  prices,  we  shall  be 
pleased  to  give  you  a  special  discount  of  15  per  cent,  in  the 
quantities  above  named.  Smaller  lots  we  could  not  furnish  at 
less  than  10  and  5  per  cent,  discount.  If  you  desire  the  nails 
to  be  lacquered,  this  will  have  to  be  done  by  hand,  and  is  quite 
expensive.  We  judge  that  it  would  cost  fully  half  a  cent, 
each  to  do  this  extra  work,  as  each  nail  would  have  to  be 
handled  separately.  As  before  explained,  we  do  not  have 
these  goods  on  hand  and  it  would  take  from  10  days  to  two 
weeks  to  make  them  up. 

We  hope  we  shall  be  favored  with  your  orders,  and  will 
give  due  attention  to  same. 

Yours  truly,  (217) 

5  D.  B. 


66  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Hotel  Correspondence. 

Mr.  R.  A.  THOMAS, 

Elizabeth,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  favor  of  the  22d,  we  would  say 
that  our  rates  for  two  persons  occupying  one  room,  for  a  land 
side  room,  would  be  $30.00  or  $32.00  per  week  ;  for  rooms 
facing  the  avenue,  or  facing  the  ocean,  the  rate  would  be 
$35.00,  $40.00,  or  $45.00  and  upwards  per  week,  depending  on 
the  size,  location,  and  general  desirability  of  the  room. 

We  would  say  that  this  hotel  is  in  the  center  of  the 
ocean  front,  with  the  famous  forty-foot  steel  ocean  walk 
stretching  for  two  miles  on  either  side.  It  is  also  lighted  by 
gas  and  electricity  from  the  hotel's  own  plant ;  has  every 
known  improvement,  including  electric  bells  to  every  room, 
and  is  complete  in  its  sanitary  and  drainage  arrangements. 
We  send  you  under  separate  cover  an  illustrated  pamphlet, 
and  trust  the  rates  we  have  quoted  will  be  satisfactory. 

Yours  very  truly,  (155) 

Mr.  E.  J.  HOCKEY, 

Plainfield,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  esteemed  favor  received.  In  reply  would 
say  that  we  could  give  you  a  good  double  room  at  from  $40 
to  $60  per  week.  The  time  from  Christopher  St.  by  afternoon 
Express  is  one  hour  and  five  minutes,  and  the  same  time  in 
going  down  in  the  morning. 

We  have  an  excellent  nine  hole  golf  course,  which  is  owned 
and  controlled  by  us,  and  is  free  to  the  guests  of  the  hotel, 
the  only  charge  being  for  locker,  which  is  $i  per  week. 

Our  house  opens  for  the  season  on  May  2d,  and  we  should 
be  very  glad  to  have  you  come  out  and  see  the  place,  and  feel 
sure  we  could  give  you  satisfactory  accommodations.    Our  bus 
meets  all  trains.     We  shall  be  pleased  to  have  an  early  reply. 
Yours  very  truly,  (142) 

Mrs.  ROBERT  H.  CLAFLIN, 

Englewood,  N.  J. 

Dear  Madam :  We  have  your  valued  favor  of  the  3d  inst., 
asking  for  rates  for  yourself  and  daughter.  We  note  that  you 
intend  to  make  an  extended  visit,  and  under  the  circumstances 
we  shall  be  glad  to  quote  you  the  following  rates.  For  two 
connecting  rooms  on  the  second  story,  the  price  per  week 
would  be  $32.00  or  $35.00,  depending  on  the  size  and  location 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  >'>- 

i 

of  the  room.     If  you  decide  to  stay  after  the  i.->t  .September, 
we  could  make  some  reduction  from  the  above  figures. 

We  would  say  that  this  house  has  been  entirely  rebuilt  and 
newly  furnished  during  the  last  year,  and  contains  sun  parlor.-, 
private  baths,  steam  heat,  and  electric  lights,  and  is  the  only 
hotel  in  Terrace  City  with  white  service  throughout.  The 
dining  room,  enclosed  in  glass,  directly  faces  the  ocean,  and  is 
unsurpassed  for  decoration  and  elegance.  The  capacity  of 
the  house  is  five-hundred.  We  trust  our  rates  will  be  satis- 
factory, and. that  we  may  hear  from  you. 

Yours  very  truly,  (174) 

Mr.  CLEMENT  J.  STOVER, 

Roanoke,  Va. 

Dear  Sir:  We  have  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  loth,  and 
in  reply  beg  to  say  that  the  sale  of  the  Fourth  Avenue  I  lotel 
property  on  the  24th  day  of  April,  as  advertised  in  the  papers, 
is  only  for  the  purpose  of  closing  the  estate  of  the  late  Mr. 
Jennings. 

This  sale  will  not  affect  the  lease  of  Homer,  Darling  &  Co., 
and  the  business  of  the  hotel  will  continue  as  heretofore. 

Thanking  you  for  your  kind  inquiry, 

Yours  very  truly,  (88) 

Mr.  HAROLD  EYRE, 

Irvington,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  recent  date, 
we  beg  to  say  that  right  on  the  beach  of  Long  Island's  inland 
sea,  within  150  feet  of  the  waters  of  the  Great  South  Bay, 
there  now  stands  a  brand  new  hotel,  the  New  Point,  embody- 
ing all  the  latest  improvements  in  hotel  construction.  There 
are  bachelor  apartments  and  single  rooms,  with  general  bath- 
rooms on  every  floor,  besides  suites  with  private  baths,  and 
every  convenience  that  the  most  exacting  guest  can  command. 
The  hotel  is  handsomely  furnished  throughout,  and  everything 
is  sweet,  clean  and  new.  Electric  lights  throughout. 

The  piazzas  are  so  arranged  as  to  be  enclosed  in  glass  for 
exercise  during  inclement  weather.  Out  of  doors  there  are 
lovely  walks  and  pleasant  drives  that  can  be  enjoyed  at  all 
seasons.  The  roads  are  so  laid  out  as  to  bring  the  most 
picturesque  features  of  the  landscape  into  view,  and  the  soil 


68  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION 

is  of  such  an  absorbing  nature  that  one  can  walk  abroad 
with  impunity  almost  immediately  after  the  fall  of  a  heavy 
shower. 

At  all  seasons  there  are  the  very  best  facilities  for  boating 
and  fishing.  There  is  excellent  anchorage  and  a  special  pier 
for  the  use  of  yachtsmen  and  fishing  parties. 

Within  three  minutes'  walk  of  the  hotel  is  a  fine  bathing 
pavilion,  with  every  convenience  for  bathers,  and  the  most 
attractive  beach  upon  the  island. 

Yours  very  truly,  (235) 

Mr.  HENRY  I.  COLE, 

1000  Broadway,  New  York. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  valued  favor  of  the  i4th  inst., 
we  would  say  that  our  house  is  conducted  on  the  American 
plan  exclusively,  and  our  prices  are  $4.00,  $5.00,  or  $6.00  per 
day  each  person,  according  to  size  and  location  of,  and  the 
equipments  contained  in  the  rooms  assigned.  A  pleasant 
front  room  upon  our  second  floor,  with  bath  attached,  would 
be  $6.00  per  day  each  person.  Meals  can  be  had  at  all  hours 
from  6.30  a.m.  to  12  o'clock  midnight.  The  crowds  are  so 
great  in  this  city  during  the  present  month,  that  if  you  decide 
to  come  to  our  hotel  you  will  oblige  us  very  much  by  writing 
a  few  days  in  advance.  We  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  ('5°) 

Mr.  ROBERT  H.  GRANT, 

James  Street,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  25th  received.  In 
reply  we  make  you  the  following  rates  :  European  plan,  $3.00 
per  day  for  single  room  occupied  by  one  person,  and  $4.00  per 
day  and  upwards  for  two  persons  occupying  one  room,  with 
double  bed.  American  plan,  $5.50  per  day  each  person,  and 
upwards. 

In  regard  to  your  baggage  we  would  say,  keep  your  checks 
until  you  arrive  at  the  hotel,  as  we  can  have  it  brought  out 
much  quicker  than  by  the  Express  Co.  Should  you  conclude 
to  visit  us,  please  notify  us  in  advance,  and  we  will  reserve 
you  good  rooms.  Trusting  the  above  will  prove  satisfactory, 
and  that  we  may  have  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  you, 
we  are, 

Yours  respectfully,  (T33) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  03 

Investment  Correspondence. 
Mr.  BENJAMIN  DREYFUS, 
Bloomfield,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir:  Have  you  money  to  invest?  If  so,  you  \vant 
something  that  will  realize  more  than  2.4  to  5  per  cent.,  and 
yet  incur  no  risk  which  good  sense  and  prudence  would  not 
approve.  In  my  opinion,  carefully  selected  commercial 
investments  are  the  best  opportunities  offered  to-day.  I  am 
giving  my  attention  to  the  investigation  and  reorganization 
of  business  enterprises.  There  is  nothing  speculative  in  my 
operations.  They  are  confined  to  going  concerns  of  moderate 
size,  that  have  already  demonstrated  success  ;  that  are 
characterized  by  integrity,  energy  and  economy  in  the 
management ;  that  justify  increased  capitalization  to  expand 
tlie  business,  and  whose  net  earnings  should  yield  good 
dividends.  Minority  stockholders  amply  protected  in  the 
reorganization. 

I  have  some  good  opportunities  in  hand,  and  invite  corres- 
pondence. I  will  also  undertake  the  negotiation  of  valid 
business  propositions. 

Very  truly  yours,  (148) 

Mr.  HENRY  H.  PAYNE, 

Albany,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  The  great  success  attained  since  1887  by  Siegel, 
Cooper  &  Co.,  has  induced  and  given  warrant  to  the  enter- 
prising owTners  to  further  ingratiate  themselves  into  public 
favor  by  consolidating  their  two  mammoth  establishments 
into  a  co-operative  enterprise  on  a  profit-sharing  basis.  They 
recognize  the  tendency  of  the  present  age  to  be  in  the  direction 
of  co-operation  of  employers  with  employees,  as  well  as  in 
profit-sharing  with  patrons. 

To  accomplish  this  desired  condition,  a  new  Company,  the 
Siegel  Cooper  Co.  (Co-operative  Stores,  New  York  and 
Chicago)  has  been  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State 
of  New  Jersey,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $24,000,000.00,  of 
which  $14,250,000.00  is  divided  into  285,000  shares  6  per 
cent,  cumulative  Preferred  Stock  of  $50.00  par  value,  and 
$9,750,000.00  into  195,000  shares  Common  Stock  of  $50.00 
par  value. 

The  charter  of  the  Company  provides  that  after  full  divi- 
dends of  6  per  cent,  per  annum  have  been  paid  on  the 


70  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Preferred  Stock,  and  full  dividends  of  3  per  cent,  per  annum 
have  been  paid  on  the  Common  Stock,  all  additional  divi- 
dends shall  be  apportioned  and  paid  on  the  basis  of  |  in 
amount  on  the  Preferred  Stock,  and  f-  in  amount  on  the 
Common  Stock. 

To  carry  out  the  plan  of  co-operation  with  its  employees, 
$2,000,000.00  of  the  Common  Stock  has  been  placed  in  trust, 
the  annual  dividends  of  which  will  be  distributed  among  such 
employees  as  have  been  or  may  hereafter  be  with  the  New 
York  or  Chicago  Establishment  for  a  period  of  three  years, 
during  their  satisfactory  continuance  in  the  service  of  the 
new  Company ;  such  dividends  will  also  be  continued  and 
paid  to  employees  for  life  who,  after  ten  years  of  service  with 
the  new  Company,  become  incapacitated  for  further  employ- 
ment, thereby  practically  providing  a  pension  fund  for  faithful 
employees  in  their  old  age. 

Respectfully,  (326) 

Legal  Correspondence. 

Messrs.  MONROE  &  SMITH, 
Boston,  Mass. 

Gentlemen :  Please  note  contents  from  Clearing  House,  in 
whose  hands  we  placed  the  matter,  so  far  as  it  relates  to 
C.  W.  Keene,  at  present  in  New  Orleans,  he  being  the 
attorney  to  whom  we  sent  the  claim,  which  it  transpires  he 
collected  in  full,  and  $50.00  of  which  he  pocketed.  You  will 
note  by  this  letter  that  the  chances  for  recovery  are  quite 
dubious.  However,  inasmuch  as  he  was  our  agent,  and  we 
are  entirely  satisfied  that  he  got  the  money  from  your  cus- 
tomer, we  therefore  have  taken  the  loss  upon  ourselves,  and 
we  to-day  credit  your  account  with  the  full  balance  due 
($50.00)  less  the  usual  collection  charge  of  10  per  cent., 
making  the  net  credit  to  your  account  $45.00. 

Trusting  that  you  will  be  satisfied  with  this  closing  of  the 
matter,  so  far  as  we  are  concerned,  and  assuring  you  that  we 
shall  keep  after  Mr.  Keene  as  long  as  there  is  the  slightest 
chance  of  recovering  anj'thing  from  him,  and  if  no  recovery 
can  be  had,  we  shall  see  to  it  that  he  is  properly  advertised  in 
the  thief  class,  to  which  he  belongs,  we  remain, 

Respectfully  yours,         (196) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  71 

Mr.  S.  W.  CROSS, 

Elmer,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  letter  of  the  26th  ult,  regarding  the  amount 
of  insurance  on  the  Ward  property,  and  enclosing  the  two 
policies,  received.  I  enclose  herewith  draft  endorsed  to  your 
order  for  $25.00  as  requested. 

In  looking  over  the  policies  I  note  they  are  made  out  to 
N.  Garner,  with  a  clause  endorsed  thereon  making  the  loss 
payable  to  A.  M.  Marsh,  trustee.  As  I  understand  this 
situation  about  the  real  estate,  the  policies  are  not  correctly 
made  out.  The  property  was  deeded  to  Mr.  Samuel  Jacobs 
by  quit-claim  from  Henry  Bonner,  dated  June  loth,  1895. 
1  am  advised  that  under  the  laws  of  Colorado,  the  title  to  the 
property  descended,  on  Mr.  Jacob's  death,  to  his  widow  and 
lour  children.  As  the  title  is  in  them,  the  insurance  policies 
should,  I  think,  be  made  payable  to  them. 

Yours  truly,  (147) 

To  THE  CREDITORS  OF  M.  B.  BOOTH  &  Co. 

M.  B.  Booth  &  Co.'s  assignment  was  made  on  July  18,  1896  ; 
since  then  the  business  has  been  conducted  by  the  assignee 
under  a  general  supervision  of  your  committee ;  two  dividends, 
amounting  to  fifteen  per  cent,  of  your  claims,  have  been  paid 
to  you ;  and  with  this  letter  another  dividend  of  five  per  cent, 
is  sent  to  each  creditor. 

Your  committee  think  that  you  should  realize  fifty  per  cent, 
of  your  claim  against  the  estate,  and  that  it  is  desirable  to 
terminate  the  assignment  as  soon  as  possible.  In  order  to  do 
this  and  preserve  the  business,  more  time  will  be  necessary  to 
enable  Mr.  Booth  to  turn  the  merchandise  on  hand  into  cash. 

Mr.  Booth  desires  (with  the  advice  of  counsel  and  the 
assent  of  your  committee)  to  make  the  following  offer  in 
composition  through  the  court  of  insolvency,  viz. :  to  pay  five 
per  cent,  in  cash,  and  the  remaining  twenty-five  per  cent,  in 
notes,  payable  without  interest  as  follows :  ten  per  cent,  in 
twelve  months ;  and  five  per  cent,  in  eighteen  months,  twenty- 
four  months,  and  thirty  months  respectively, — with  the  privi- 
lege of  paying  off  the  whole  or  any  portion  of  said  notes  at 
any  time  previously.  These  notes  to  be  secured  by  the 
capital  stock  of  a  corporation,  to  be  organized  under  the  laws 
of  Massachusetts  and  called  the  "  M.  B.  Booth  Company,"  to 
which  corporation  the  assignee  will  transfer  all  the  property 


72  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

held  by  him  by  virtue  of  M.  B.  Booth  &  Co.'s  assignment  to 
him.  A  majority  of  the  directors  in  this  corporation  will 
represent  the  interests  of  the  creditors. 

If  this  offer  is  accepted,  the  cash  dividend  of  five  per  cent, 
will  be  paid  as  soon  as  an  order  of  court  confirming  it  can  be 
obtained  ;  this  will  probably  be  in  April  next.  No  answet  to 
this  circular  is  necessary.  A  proof  of  claim  will  be  sent  t~> 
each  creditor  to  execute  and  return. 

Yours  truly,  (326) 

Mr.  SIMON  HESS, 

Oradell,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  Until  October  of  last  year  there  resided  in  your 
city  one  Mr.  James  O'Neill,  when  he  removed  to  parts 
unknown  to  us.  As  we  know  you  are  thoroughly  acquainted 
in  your  locality  we  write  asking  if  you  cannot  tell  us  Mr. 
O'Neill's  post-office  address.  If  you  cannot  do  this,  can  you 
tell  us  the  name  of  some  party  who  can  ?  We  would  also 
ask  if  Mr.  O'Neill  now  owns  any  property  in  your  city,  and, 
if  so,  to  what  extent  ? 

We  will  appreciate  very  much  any  information  you  can 
give  us  in  this  matter,  and  enclose  our  stamped  and  addressed 
envelope  for  your  reply.  Thanking  you  in  advance  for  the 
favor,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (I22) 

Mr.  JOHN  DOWD, 

Auburn,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  hand  you  herewith  Sheriff's  Certificate  of 
sale  secured  in  the  foreclosure  of  loan  602,  Branson.  The 
certificate  is  duly  assigned  to  the  Assignees  of  this  Company, 
and  we  will  thank  you  to  issue,  in  lieu  of  the  certificate, 
Sheriff's  Deed  in  favor  of  Joseph  Ferris  and  Charles  Morris, 
as  assignees  for  the  benefit  of  creditors  of  the  Thompson 
Loan  and  Trust  Co.  As  soon  as  the  deed  has  been  prepared 
be  kind  enough  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  auditor  for  record, 
and  we  have  to-day  advised  him  that  his  fee  will  be  paid  as 
soon  as  we  are  advised  of  the  amount  due.  Your  charge  for 
the  deed  will  be  settled  as  soon  as  we  hear  from  you  in  this 
regard.  Your  prompt  attention  will  oblige, 

Yours  truly,  (!39) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  73 

Mr.  JOHN  L.  WILSON, 

Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Dear  Sir:  As  attorneys  for  James  R.  Perkins,  lately 
deceased,  it  was  our  mournful  privilege  to  draw  up  his  last 
will  and  testament.  Although  the  terms  of  this  document 
have  not  yet  been  made  public,  we  are  in  a  position  to  know 
that  you  are  the  principal  legatee,  and  as  such  we  hasten  to 
offer  you  our  hearty  congratulations  upon  your  good  fortune. 
Owing  to  the  absence  of  one  of  the  executors,  the  reading  of 
the  will  will  be  postponed  fora  few  da3rs  ;  but  as  your  presence 
will  be  necessary,  you  may  rely  upon  us  to  give  you  due 
notice. 

In  the  meantime,  in  evidence  of  our  good-will  towards  one 
whom  we  hope  to  retain  as  our  client,  we  authorize  you  to 
draw  upon  us  for  any  sum  you  may  need  for  your  present 
requirements  up  to  $1,000,  the  advance  to  be  repaid  when  we 
shall  have  the  pleasure  of  turning  over  the  major  portion  of 
the  Perkins  estate  to  its  future  owner.  Until  then,  we  are, 

Yours  very  truly,  ( 1 7  7 ) 

Messrs.  JAMES  JOHNSON  &  SONS, 
Brovvnwood,  Tex. 

Gentlemen  :  According  to  promise  made  by  our  Mr.  Garcia 
to  your  Col.  Johnson  last  Saturday,  we  send  to  you  by  Pacific 
Express  to-day  the  Court  papers  in  the  above  case.  We 
have  been  through  the  papers  as  well  as  we  could  in  the 
limited  time  that  we  had  them  from  the  court-house,  and  find 
that  plaintiff's  proof  makes  only  title  to  about  one-third. 

We  would  like  to  inquire  whether  there  is  any  agreement 
between  the  Anglo-American  Mortgage  Co.  and  Holl ings- 
worth,  that  copies  of  deeds  may  be  used  in  the  defendant's 
counter-claim  against  him ;  if  any  such  agreement  has  not 
been  had,  it  would  be  well  enough  to  have  one,  otherwise  we 
will  be  wanting  in  proof. 

Yours  truly, 


74  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Life  Insurance  Correspondence. 

Mr.  ROBERT  WALLACE, 
York,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir:  We  take  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  the 
Company  has  issued  on  your  application  of  February  yth,  a 
policy  for  $1,000,  on  the  30  year  Endowment,  20  year  semi- 
Tontine  plan,  with  annual  premiums  of  $32.71.  This  policy 
is  dated  Feb.  i5th,  in  accordance  with  your  request. 

Upon  receipt  of  your  check  which  you  may  send  to  us  at 
your  convenience  we  will  be  pleased  to  deliver  the  policy  to 
you,  or,  if  you  prefer,  we  will  have  our  Mr.  Busby  call  with 
the  policy  when  you  desire  to  pay  for  same. 

Very  truly  yours,  (101) 

Mr.  GEORGE  MURRAY, 

Newark,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  addition  to  the  always  doubtful  value  of  the 
protection  offered  by  assessment  Life  Insurance  Associations 
and  Fraternal  Societies,  most  of  these  so-called  insurance 
organizations  have  recently  increased  their  premium  calls  to 
an  alarming  extent,  and  further  increases  will  undoubtedly 
follow. 

You  are  very  likely  paying  out  good  money  for  some  of 
this  class  of  doubtful  protection. 

Many  successful  business  men  do  not  believe  in  the  high 
premium  investment  insurance,  usually  presented  by  the  Old 
Line  Companies,  and  justly  claim  that  they  can  safely  and 
more  profitably  invest  their  own  money.  Others  do  not  feel 
able  to  carry  the  desired  amount  of  protection  at  the  premium 
rates  charged  by  companies  requiring  a  compulsory  invest- 
ment in  connection  with  legitimate  protection. 

Others  simply  do  not  take  time  to  investigate,  and  go  in 
because  it  is  easy  to  get  into  most  assessment  organizations. 

All  these  classes  have  been  the  natural  prey  of  all  kinds  of 
assessment  insurance  schemes. 

Though  it  is  now  generally  known  to  the  insuring  public, 
economy  of  cost  can  be  combined  with  absolute  safet}'.  This 
result  is  obtained  in  the  Special  Trust  Fund  Contract,  of  the 
American  Union  Life,  an  Old  Line  Stock  Company,  having  a 
cash  capital  of  $500,000. 

Respectfully  yours,  (211) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION. 


Mr.  J.  B.  SHAW, 

Erie,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir:   On  behalf  of  our  Company,  and  under  their  fi.l 
official  authorization,  we  desire  the  privilege   of  submitting 
fioures  on  an  entirely  new  insurance  contract,  winch,  in  the 
event  of  your  death,  will  have  cost  your  estate  only  the  simple 
interest  on  the  yearly  payments  you  have  made,   and  will 
provide    immediate    cash     to     bridge     over    any    resi 
contingencies. 

Our  contracts  guarantee  liberal  yearly  loans   and 
cash  values,  extension  of  full  protection  without  cost  in  case 
of  lapse,  and  they  return  handsome  profits  to  those  surviving 
the  premium  paying  period  of  the  policies. 

You  can  create  an  estate  for  your  family  by  the  payment 
of  one  premium,  and  can  build  up  a  fortune  for  yourself  on 
easy  terms  and  long  credit. 

We  will  gladly  send  you  an  illustration  if  you  will  send  us 
your  age  nearest  birthday  upon  the  enclosed  coupon. 

Very  truly  yours,  ( i  5  2 ) 

Col.  J.  K.  HUNT, 

New  York  City.  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  Replving  to  your  esteemed  inquiry  of  the  isth 
inst  we  beg  to  say,  that  while  we  desire  new  business,  we  do 
not  wish  a  single  new  policy  placed  upon  our  books  that  can 
in  anv  way  be  detrimental  to  the  interests  of  the  350,000 
people  who  are  assured  with  us.  The  Equitable  is  to-day  by 
far  the  strongest  life  assurance  company  in  the  world,  and  it 
is  the  intention  of  the  management  to  pursue  a  policy  that  will 
keep  it  so,  and  to  so  conduct  its  business  as  to  give  its  present 
and  future  policy-holders  the  largest  possible  results,  and  to 
uphold  and  elevate  in  every  way  the  dignity  of  its  business— 
a  business  second  to  none  in  its  importance  and  its  influence 
upon  the  nation. 

Our  investments  shall  be  made,  first,  for  permanence,  and 
next  for  productiveness.  Methods  which  tend  to  weaken 
rather  than  to  strengthen  shall  be  avoided.  No  rush  tor 
temporary  popularity  shall  seduce  us  from  following  after 
safetv  economy  and  ultimate  strength.  We  shall  avoid  what 
is  dip-trap  and  pyrotechnic,  and  devote  ourselves  to  what  is 

fundamental.  > 

Yours  truly,  («93) 


76  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  BROWN  &  WELLS, 

33  Union  Sq.,  New  York. 

Gentlemen  :  On  January  i3th  and  May  8th  last,  I  wrote 
you  relative  to  the  advantages  and  benefits  that  would  accrue 
to  your  firm  from  securing  a  line  of  "silent  capital,"  which  I 
am  offering  at  a  very  low  rate  of  "  interest,"  with  principal 
never  to  be  repaid.  All  my  contracts  are  guaranteed  by  the 
safest  and  strongest  financial  institution  in  the  world. 

Suppose  a  firm  of  three  partners,  aged  36,  39,  and  41 
secured  $150,000  dollars  of  this  "silent  capital"  protection 
ten  years  ago,  on  the  20  year  payment  plan.  The  cost  would 
have  been  decreased  annually  from  the  second  year.  For 
1897  the  total  outlay,  less  guaranteed  increase  of  the  firm's 
cash  assets  arising  from  this  1897  payment,  would  be  but 
$224  on  basis  of  present  contracts. 

Will  mail  3^ou  full  particulars  and  the  cost  for  each  year  for 
twenty  years,  if  you  v:ill  send  me  ages  (birthdays  preferable) 
of  the  partners  in  your  firm. 

In  my  former  letters  I  advised  the  use  of  this  "  silent 
capital "  to  provide  against  the  withdrawal  of  a  portion  of  the 
firm's  capital  from  the  death  of  partners  ;  to  the  loss  of  brains 
and  experience  to  the  firm  in  addition  to  capital  from  such  a 
calamity  ;  and  to  the  effect  that  one  hundred  and  nineteen 
millions,  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  of  actual  cash  would 
be  paid  into  the  best  firms  of  this  city  in  the  next  ten  years,  if 
but  $25,000  of  the  "silent  capital"  I  am  now  offering  was 
secured  for  each  partner.  I  also  called  attention  to  the  fact 
that  firms  paid  more  for  fire  insurance,  while  there  was  over 
four  hundred  times  the  chances  daily  of  the  death  of  a  partner 
— a  total  loss— to  one  chance  of  a  partial  fire  loss. 

This  "silent  capital"  is  partnership  insurance  afforded  by 
the  policies  of  the  Northwestern  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company — the  largest  purely  American  Company,  with  over 
a  hundred  million  dollars  in  assets,  the  largest  ratio  of  assets 
to  liabilities  of  any  leading  company,  annual  dividends  from 
three  to  six  times  those  of  our  chief  competitors  on  similar 
policies,  and  from  fifty  to  sixty  per  cent,  more  insurance  on 
annual  dividend  policies,  with  correspondingly  greater  cash, 
loan,  and  other  guarantees,  for  the  cost  of  deferred  dividend 
policies  in  other  companies. 

Very  truly  yours,  (383) 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  77 

Messrs.  ADAMS  &  BYRNE, 
New  York  City. 

Gentlemen:  Partnership  insurance  is  as  essential  to  the 
protection  of  corporate  or  partnership  capital  as  fire  insurance 
is  to  the  protection  of  the  property  of  the  firm.  North- 
western policy  contracts  are  especially  desirable  for  this  pur- 
pose. The}'  cost  much  less  than  similar  contracts  elsewhere 
obtainable  owing  to  much  larger  annual  dividends;  they  can 
be  terminated  at  any  time  without  loss  ;  thev  afford  the  largest 
amount  of  "silent  capital"  protection  at  the  lowest  possible 
outlay  ;  they  are  self-adjustable  to  the  changing  circumstances 
of  the  firm  from  their  guaranteed  loan,  cash  value,  paid-up 
and  extended  insurance  features  ;  and  when  some  years  in 
force  they  afford  guaranteed  annually  increasing  cash  assets 
to  the  firm,  nearly  or  more  than  equal  to  the  net  premium 
paid,  thus  making  the  current  cost  of  the  risk  a  mere 
nominal  one. 

All  sensible  firms  keep  their  goods  and  property  well 
insured.  On  the  average  there  are  over  two  hundred  chances 
of  a  death  daily  in  a  firm  to  one  fire.  The  cost  of  partner- 
ship insurance  is  infinitesimal  on  the  average  when  compared 
with  the  outlay  for  fire  insurance. 

Is  there  any  reason  why,  with  these  facts,  you  should  not 
entertain  a  proposition  for  providing  against  the  withdrawal 
of  capital,  brains  and  experience  from  your  firm  by  death  ? 

It  would  afford  me  much  pleasure  to  see  a  member  of  your 
firm  in  a  da}'  or  two  for  the  purpose  of  answering  any 
inquiries,  and  with  the  hope  of  furnishing  you  with  particulars 
and  exact  figures,  if  you  will  have  the  ages — birthdays  prefer- 
able— of  the  partners  ready  for  me. 

Very  truly  yours,  (270) 

Mr.  J.  R.  ALEXANDER, 

Jamaica,  L.  I. 

Dear  Sir :  As  Executive  Commissioner  of  the  Equitable 
Life  Assurance  Society  of  the  United  States,  I  am  authorized 
to  offer  you  for  purchase  a  limited  amount  of  our  5  per  cent. 
Gold  Bonds.  These  Bonds  may  be  purchased  by  annual  pay- 
ments for  10,  15,  or  20  years,  as  you  may  select.  At  the  end 
of  the  term  so  selected,  there  will  be  delivered  to  you,  if  living, 
Bonds  of  the  denomination  of  $  1,000  each,  bearing  interest  at 
5  per  cent,  per  annum,  which  will  be  paid  to  you  in  gold  coin 
of  the  present  standard  and  fineness,  in  January  and  July  of 


78  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

each  year,  for  20  years,  when  the  principal  will  be  paid  in 
gold  coin. 

In  the  event  of  decease,  before  the  Bonds  have  been  fully 
paid,  no  further  payments  will  be  required,  and  there  will  be 
delivered  to  your  wife,  children,  or  estate  the  Bonds  above 
described,  upon  which  5  per  cent,  per  annum  will  be  paid  to 
them,  beginning  at  once,  and  continuing  for  20  years,  when 
the  par  value  of  the  Bonds  will  be  paid  in  gold  coin. 

In  view  of  the  statement  recently  made  by  one  of  the 
Surrogates  of  New  York  that  80  per  cent,  of  the  money  left  to 
widows  and  orphans  in  this  county  during  his  term  of  office 
was  lost  or  dissipated  by  mismanagement,  the  value  to  one's 
family  of  such  an  investment  as  the  above  will  be  readily 
appreciated. 

Upon  your  filling  out  the  enclosed  card,  and  returning  same 
to  us  at  the  address  given  below,  we  will  send  you  a  specimen 
of  the  Bonds  and  also  the  cost  of  same  at  your  age. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you  at  an  early  date, 

Yours  truly,  (272) 

Mr.  JAMES  S.  SPICER, 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Referring  to  yours  of  Feb.  2oth,  we  would  say 
that  a  stock,  or  propriety  company,  is  one  which  sells  assur- 
ance to  the  public  at  fixed  rates  ;  all  profits,  over  and  above  the 
cost  of  granting  the  assurance,  going  to  the  proprietors,  or 
stockholders,  of  the  company.  At  one  time  such  companies 
were  very  popular  and  flourished  throughout  the  land ;  but  to 
get  business  they  were  forced  to  charge  low  rates,  and  in  stress 
of  weather  these  rates  were  usually  found  to  be  inadequate, 
and  most  of  these  companies  went  by  the  board. 

A  mutual  life  company  is  an  association  of  members  for 
whom  exclusively  the  profits  of  the  business  are  accumulated 
for  division  in  dividends  at  appropriate  intervals.  The  capital 
held  by  the  Equitable  Society  does  not  take  it  out  of  the 
category  of  mutual  companies,  because  such  a  capital  is  a 
necessity  with  all  companies  (whether  mutual  or  not) 
organized  in  New  York  since  the  insurance  laws  of  the  State 
were  revised  in  1853.  Every  mutual  company  organized  in 
the  State  since  that  date  has  been  required  (for  the  protection 
of  policyholders  during  the  company's  infancy)  to  deposit,  in 
Albany,  securities  amounting  to  $100,000. 

Yours  very  truly,  (206) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  ;<i 

Mr.  HOWARD  BARNES, 

Englewood,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  Last  fall  you  called  on  me  desiring  io  know 
something  about  the  plans  of  insurance.  I  gave  you  as  much 
information  as  you  required,  and  you  were  very  favorably 
impressed  with  our  policy.  However,  at  that  time,  yon  did 
not  see  your  way  clear  to  take  out  one,  and  promised  that 
you  would  be  able  to  do  so  April,  '99.  I  shall  be  very  glad  to 
hear  from  you,  naming  an  hour  when  I  can  see  you  for  the 
final  arrangements  in  regard  to  taking  out  a  policy.  1  enclose 
a  few  points  of  comparison  between  the  Company's  statements 
for  the  years  1897  and  1898,  which  need  no  comment. 

Awaiting  the  favor  of  your  reply,  I  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (10S) 

Mr.  C.  HARRY  JONES, 

Bridgeton,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  Do  not  wait  until  your  age  or  health  changes  ! 
Get  a  low  cost  policy  covering  mortality  risk  only.  Can 
change  to  any  other  policy  applying  the  large  dividends  of  the 
Northwestern  when  you  get  ready  for  the  plan  of  insurance 
you  want.  Be  protected  in  the  meantime. 

The  premiums  are  too  low  and  commissions  too  small  for 
personal  solicitation.  Write,  giving  nearest  birthday-age,  for 
all  particulars. 

Yours  truly,  (So) 

Lumber  Correspondence. 

Sr.  SAMPAIO  GUIMORANE, 

Loanda,  West  Africa. 

Dear  Sir:  We  have  your  valued  favor  of  July  3ist,  in 
answer  to  ours  of  June  8th,  and  note  fully  contents  of  same. 
We  beg  to  advise  that  if  your  references  are  all  right,  we  will 
be  glad  to  ship  the  lumber  to  you,  90  days  with  bill  of  lading 
attached.  We  would  be  pleased  to  know,  however,  what 
discount  you  would  desire,  in  the  event  of  your  wishing  to 
take  up  the  paper,  as  it  is  necessary  to  know  this.  We  are  in 
first  class  shape  to  ship  a  fine  quality  of  lumber,  and  would 
appreciate  highly  an  order  from  you  for  one  cargo,  for  we 
would  be  ready  to  ship  immediately  upon  your  advices  and 
feel  satisfied  that  you  would  like  our  product. 

Very  truly  yours,  (134) 


§0  TWENTIETH   CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOO& 

TROWBRIDGE  &  Co., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Referring  to  the  rived  shingle  order  you  have 
with  us  for  Kingston,  Jamaica,  shipment,  we  regret  having  to 
report  considerable  trouble  encountered  in  endeavoring  to  fill 
this.  After  a  thorough  search  all  over  the  country,  we 
succeeded  in  locating  one  firm  who  agreed  to  undertake  the 
business  if,  after  a  trial,  they  found  they  could  come  out  even 
square,  just  to  oblige  us.  After  having  given  the  matter  the 
best  and  most  economical  trial  their  skill  could  devise,  they 
tell  us  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  them  out  at  less  than  $n 
per  M,  and  then  not  by  the  time  specified.  Our  efforts  have 
extended  as  far  as  Alabama,  where  the  only  encouragement 
received  is  from  one  firm,  who  are  of  the  opinion  that  they 
can  get  together  the  necessary  quantity  and  ship  direct  from 
Mobile.  Regretting  the  outcome  of  this  matter,  we  are, 

Yours  truly,  (156) 

Mr.  JAMES  H.  SCOTT, 

Westminster,  Me. 

Dear  Sir :  Yours  of  the  Qth  inst.  at  hand,  and  fully  noted. 
We  would  say  that  so  far  we  have  been  unable  to  find  any- 
body who  would  buy  the  Spruce  Refuse  which  you  speak  of, 
and  we  do  not  know  where  we  could  place  such  a  cargo. 
Slabs  are  coming  in  very  freely  and  selling  very  low,  and  we 
should  judge  that  if  we  were  in  your  place  we  would  hold  the 
slabs  until  we  are  able  to  get  somebody  who  will  buy  them  at 
a  fair  price.  We  enclose  herewith  Account  Sales  of  the  cargo 
per  "  W.  E.  Leggett ''  last  trip,  for  balance  of  which  you  can 
draw  at  your  convenience  or  we  will  send  check,  as  you 
desire.  Please  advise.  We  note  what  you  say  regarding 
stocking  up  with  logs,  and  asking  us  what  we  think  of  the 
prospects  this  fall.  We,  of  course,  cannot  tell  anything 
further  regarding  this  than  our  opinion,  and  that  is,  that  we 
expect  prices  to  rule  low,  and  that  we  shall  have  rather  a  dull 
market  with  the  tendency  of  prices  to  weakness. 

We  think  you  will  be  well  suited  with  the  sales  we  enclose, 
which  we  consider  better  than  the  market.  We  should  like 
to  have  you  post  us  fully  regarding  what  you  may  have  for 
shipment,  and  if  you  will  keep  us  posted,  we  think  it  will  be 
for  your  advantage,  in  the  returns  that  you  get  for  the  lumber. 

Yours  truly,  (249) 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  8  I 

THE  GRIFFINE  LUMBER  Co., 
Hutton,  Tex. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  your  favor  of  the  aoth  inst.,  we 
are  glad  to  note  that  the  corrected  invoice  satisfied  you.  We 
find  that  in  billing  the  Star  partition  we  neglected  to  reduce 
our  price,  and  herewith  enclose  credit  memorandum  for  $2 
per  M  feet,  which  will  make  the  stock  cost  you  $i  i. 

As  to  your  experience  with  Star-and-better  stock  being 
nearly  all  Star,  we  can  say  with  a  clear  conscience  that  such 
is  not  the  case  with  our  Star-and-better,  as  we  generally  ship 
from  55  per  cent,  to  60  per  cent.  Clear  and  balance  Star  ;  that 
is,  when  the  material  is  from  the  kiln.  In  air-dried  stock,  the 
percentage  of  Clear  is  not  so  much,  and,  knowing  this,  we 
make  due  allowance  in  our  figures. 

Trusting  to  be  favored  with  future  orders,  and  thanking 
you  for  past  favors,  we  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (158) 

Mr.  Louis  OSCARINE, 

Ottone,  Tex. 

Dear  Sir  :  Thanking  you  for  order  under  date  of  the  20th 
inst,  we  beg  to  report  that  we  have  no  i  x  12 — 20  boxing  on 
hand,  but  could  fill  same  in  22  feet  lengths  if  satisfactory  to 
you.  On  account  of  having  to  make  some  of  the  dressed 
stock  we  could  not  ship  before  the  first  of  next  week. 

Very  truly  yours,  (69) 

Municipal  Correspondence. 

Mr.  ROBERT  J.  Fox, 

New  York  City. 

Dear  Sir  :  By  a  resolution  adopted  on  the  26th  ult,  the 
Commissioners  of  the  Sinking  Fund  approved  the  plan  and 
specifications  presented  by  the  architects  for  the  New  Criminal 
Court  Building,  and  by  this  department  for  balconies,  stairs, 
etc.,  for  the  bridge  to  connect  the  Criminal  Court  Building 
with  the  Tombs  or  City  Prison,  and  requested  the  Corporation 
counsel  to  prepare  the  form  of  contract  for  the  proposed  work. 
I  therefore  enclose  the  specifications  prepared  by  the  archi- 
tects, and  respectfully  ask  that  you  will  prepare  the  proper 
form  of  contract,  as  it  is  very  desirable  to  put  the  new 
building  in  condition  for  occupation  as  early  as  possible. 

Very  respectfully,  "  •      (118) 

6  /).  B. 


82  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  A.  H.  MACKAY, 

Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  I  transmit  herewith  for  your  action  as  to  the 
adequacy  and  sufficiency  of  the  sureties  thereon  the  proposal 
of  the  Warren-Scharf  Asphalt  Paving  Co.  for  paving  i6th 
Street,  from  Avenue  A  to  Avenue  C,  within  land  grants ;  the 
proposal  of  the  Sicilian  Asphalt  Paving  Co.  for  paving  i6th 
Street,  from  Livingston  Place  to  1 50  feet  east  of  Avenue  A, 
not  within  land  grants,  these  being  the  lowest  regular  bids 
received  for  the  respective  works  at  a  public  letting  held  at 
this  office  on  the  i3th  inst. 

Very  respectfully,  (97) 

Mr.  MILES  J.  O'BRIEN, 

Kelton,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir :  I  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
1 7th  inst.,  again  complaining  of  delay  in  closing  the  excavation 
for  laying  the  water-main  on  2d  Avenue  in  front  of  your 
premises,  and  to  say  I  now  have  a  report  from  the  Chief 
Engineer  of  the  Croton  Aqueduct  that  the  contractor  for 
laying  the  main  has  been  dilatory  in  his  work,  and  that  he  has 
ordered  him  to  fill  up  the  trench  until  his  rock  gang  is  again 
actively  at  work.  I  have,  also  to-day  notified  the  contractor 
that  unless  he  proceeds  with  his  work  more  diligently,  his 
contract  will  be  declared  forfeited. 

Very  respectfully,  ( 1 1 2 ) 

Mr.  J.  R.  LUCKEY, 

New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  In  answer  to  your  request  of  the  yth  inst.  for 
information  in  reference  to  street  gullies  in  this  city,  which,  I 
presume,  means  catch-basins  or  sewer-basins  to  draw  off  the 
surface  water,  I  transmit  to  you  herewith  a  plan  of  the  sewer- 
basins  in  use  here,  giving  vertical  and  horizontal  sections  of 
the  same. 

Yours  respectfully,  (64) 

Mr.  R.  S.  LOOM  is, 

New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  In  answer  to  your  letter  of  the  loth  inst.,  calling 
attention  to  a  leak  in  the  water-main  in  front  of  No.  32  East 
1 8th  Street,  I  beg  to  say  I  have  report  from  the  Water  Pur- 
veyor that  he  has  given  orders  to  have  the  needed  repairs 
made  at  once. 

Yours  truly,  (58) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  S,"> 

Mr.  LEWIS  J.  CONGER, 

Milton,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir:  In  answer  to  your  letter  ot"  9th  inst.,  calling 
attention  to  the  defective  condition  of  the  pavement  in  front 
of  your  school  building,  I  beg  to  say  I  have  report  from  the 
Water  Purveyor  that  a  repair  gang  has  been  ordered  to  make 
the  needed  repairs  at  once. 

Very  respectfully,  (58) 

Mr.  DAVID  H.  JAMES, 

New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  In  answer  to  your  letter  of  the  226,  complaining 
of  paving  material  deposited  in  39th  Street,  opposite  the 
Casino,  and  of  defects  in  pavements  at  Franklin  and  Church 
Streets,  and  at  Broadway  and  48th  Street,  I  beg  to  say  I  have 
report  from  the  Water  Purveyor  that  the  paving  material  has 
been  removed  by  the  contractor,  and  that  the  defects  in  the 
pavement  will  be  repaired  as  soon  as  possible. 

Very  truly  yours,  (82) 

Mr.  FRANK  L.  FISHER, 

Lemont,  N.  H. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  answer  to  your  letter,  requesting  permission 
to  change  the  water-meter  connections  in  house  No.  305  East 
1 2  5th  Street,  so  as  to  make  the  meter  applicable  to  the 
business  part  of  the  premises  only,  I  beg  to  say  I  find,  from 
report  made  to  me  by  the  ist  Asst.  Engineer  of  the  Croton 
Aqueduct,  that  water  closets  on  the  first,  fourth,  and  fifth 
floors  are  wasting  water,  also  the  faucet  in  sink  on  fifth  floor. 
Until  the  plumbing  is  repaired  so  as  to  stop  all  leakage  and 
waste,  permission  to  change  the  meter  connections  cannot  be 
granted. 

Very  respectfully,  (i°6) 

Paper  and  Envelope  Correspondence. 

Messrs.  SIMPSON  &  Co., 

Wellington,  N.  H. 

Gentlemen :  We  are  informed  that  you  are  sending  out 
quantities  of  circulars,  and  therefore  think  you  will  be  glad 
to  know  that  you  can  mail  them  apparently  sealed  for  one 
cent.  The  Neostyle  "  Sealed-yet-open  "  envelope  is  specially 
adapted  for  mailing  circulars,  and  complies  with  the  require- 
ments of  the  Post  Office  relating  to  third  and  fourth  class 
matter. 


84  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

If  you  have  been  using  ordinary  envelopes  with  flap  tucked 
in,  you  can  get  infinitely  better  results  by  using  the  Neostyle 
envelope  and  mailing  circulars  apparently  sealed.  If  you 
have  hitherto  mailed  circulars,  sealed,  with  two  cent  stamps, 
you  can  save  nearly  $10  per  thousand,  and  obtain  as  good 
results  by  using  our  envelope.  A  trial  will  convince  you. 
Doubtless  you  opened  this  letter  thinking  it  was  a  sealed 
envelope :  it  is  a  circular  mailed  for  one  cent  in  our  patent 
envelope.  We  would  be  glad  to  send  you  sample  and  quote 
prices  if  you  will  advise  in  what  quantities  you  can  order. 

Yours  truly,  (172) 

MURRAY  BROS., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen :  We  beg  to  advise  you  that  owing  to  the  recent 
combinations  in  the  paper  and  envelope  trades,  all  quotations, 
even  on  the  regular  line  of  goods,  having  been  withdrawn 
from  the  trade,  we  will  be  obliged  to  advance  some  of  the 
prices  on  articles  furnished  you  in  these  lines.  We  shall, 
however,  make  just  as  few  changes  as  possible,  and  where  we 
are  forced  to  advance  the  prices  it  will  only  be  to  the  extent 
of  the  change  made  by  the  manufacturers  to  us.  When  we 
can  possibly  save  by  the  use  of  a  different,  but  equally  as 
good,  article  for  the  purpose  we  will  confer  with  you  on  the 
subject. 

Yours  truly,  (118) 

Messrs.  B.  A.  BAMFORD  &  Co., 
Underwood,  Ind. 

Gentlemen :  We  beg  to  hand  you  a  few  samples  of  paper 
with  prices  marked  thereon.  You  notice  by  our  letter  head 
we  manufacture  this  paper  ourselves,  and  can  safely  say  that 
the  prices  at  which  we  offer  them  are  far  less  than  you  can 
buy  them  elsewhere.  If  you  will  compare  the  prices  and 
quality  of  the  enclosed  with  what  you  have  been  using,  you 
will  find  it  to  your  advantage  to  give  us  a  trial.  You  are,  no 
doubt,  buying  from  some  of  the  numerous  dealers  in  New 
York  City,  and  are  well  aware  manufacturers  can  sell  much 
cheaper  than  dealers.  Should  the  enclosed  not  be  like  what 
you  are  now  using,  we  beg  to  say  that  we  make  three  other 
grades,  and  will  be  pleased  to  submit  samples  to  you. 

Trusting  you  will  look  into  and  examine  the  quality  and 
prices  of  the  enclosed,  we  are, 

Respectfully,  I1 57) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  S :; 

Mr.  LEWIS  B.  CONGER, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir :  The  enclosed  samples  represent  but  one  or  two 
dimensions  of  the  numerous  grades  of  book  papers  we  carry 
in  stock,  and  made  to  order  suitable  for  publishing,  printing, 
lithographing  and  miscellaneous  uses,  and  for  which  we 
solicit  your  orders.  The  coated  paper  we  also  make  in  colors 
for  covers  and  in  white  for  label  purposes.  Our  Super  Sized 
and  Calendered  and  Machine  Finished  Book,  either  wove  or 
laid,  we  recommend  for  their  excellent  printing  qualities  and 
cleanliness. 

We  specially  solicit  trade  for  paper  made  to  order  in  odd 
sizes,  weights  or  colors,  on  which  we  can  offer  special  induce- 
ments. Besides  above,  we  have  a  most  extensive  stock  of 
blotting  papers,  wrapping,  tag  and  other  papers,  board  and 
special  cover  papers,  etc.,  and  if  you  will  state  your  require- 
ments for  any  of  your  departments,  we  will,  with  pleasure 
give  you  definite  samples  and  prices.  Please  make  known 
your  wants  and  we  will  promptly  respond. 

Yours  truly,  ( 164) 

Messrs.  SOLOMON  BROS., 

Toledo,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  i5th  inst. 
for  one  hundred  sheets  of  fine  Bristol  board  for  drawing  pur- 
poses. As  you  did  not  state  whether  four  or  six  ply  was 
wanted  we  are  at  a  loss  to  know  which  to  send  you,  but  on 
looking  up  your  last  order  we  find  that  you  ordered  four  ply 
and  have  presumed  that  that  is  the  kind  you  want,  and  have 
shipped  same  by  American  Express  to-day. 

Yours  truly,  (85) 

Mr.  J.  G.  SENIA, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  order  for  10,000  No.  8 
envelopes,  which  you  want  shipped  immediately.  We  do  not 
carry  these  in  stock,  and  as  there  is  not  much  call  for  them  we 
make  them  to  order  only.  Owing  to  our  factory  now  being 
behind  with  orders  we  cannot  promise  to  have  the  No.  8  size 
for  you  in  less  than  two  weeks'  time.  Kindly  wire  us  if 
you  can  wait  that  time,  or  if  a  smaller  size  will  suit  your 
requirements. 

Yours  truly,  (93) 


86  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS   DICTATION    BOOR. 

Mr.  J.  H.  BILLINGS, 

Olean,  New  York. 

Dear  Sir  :  Have  you  an  accumulation  of  old  account  books, 
letters,  and  other  papers  of  a  confidential  nature  which  you 
wish  to  dispose  of  without  publicity  ?  1  make  a  specialty  of 
collecting  such  papers  from  bankers,  insurance  companies  and 
large  mercantile  houses,  and  ship  directly  to  my  mills,  and  by 
the  use  of  strong  chemicals  destroy  all  traces  of  writing  and 
work  over  into  pulp. 

I  allow  market  price  for  same.  Will  send  experienced, 
reliable  men  to  pack  papers  in  bags  and  boxes.  Awaiting 
your  reply,  I  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (96) 

Mr.  W.  CLIMIE, 

Toronto,  Canada. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  esteemed  favor  has  our  attention.  We  will 
ship  by  freight  direct  from  our  mill  the  forty  reams  of  double 
demy  newspaper  ordered,  and  send  under  separate  cover  the 
samples  of  40,  60  and  80  pound  coated  cover  paper  desired. 
Owing  to  the  recent  advance  in  the  price  of  all  grades  of 
papers  we  will  be  obliged  to  charge  you  an  extra  |  cent,  a 
pound  all  round  on  these  papers,  and  if  the  talked-of  advance 
in  prices  comes  into  effect  we  will  have  to  add  another  f  cent, 
before  the  first  of  the  month. 

Yours  truly,  (i°4) 

Patents  and  Trade  Marks. 
Mr.  J.  T.  ROLLO, 

Summit,  Miss. 

Dear  Sir :  We  have  your  valued  favor  of  recent  date,  and 
in  reply  to  same  beg  to  say  that  the  duration  of  patent  varies 
considerably  in  the  different  countries,  and,  in  most  cases,  a 
foreign  patent  is  not  allowed  to  run  for  a  longer  term  than  the 
full  period  of  the  original  home  grant.  Where  more  than  one 
prior  patent  exists,  the  foreign  patent  expires  with  that 
having  the  shortest  term.  There  are,  however,  some  excep- 
tions to  this  rule.  In  most  important  countries,  with  the 
notable  exception  of  the  United  States,  annual  taxes  are 
payable  upon  existing  patents,  and  certain  countries  require 
the  patent  to  be  "  worked  "  within  a  given  time  or  at  intervals. 

Trusting  this  information  will  be  satisfactory,  we  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  ( 1 3 1 ) 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  cS; 

Mr.  R   A.  BEEMIS, 

Saginaw,  Mich. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  i8th  inst.  has  been  received. 
In  compliance  with  your  request  we  enclose  a  copy  of  our 
Hand  Book  giving  full  information  as  to  the  best  way  to 
proceed  to  secure  a  United  States  patent.  Foreign  Patent 
Practice  also  enclosed.  If  you  have  an  invention  which  you 
think  of  patenting,  we  shall  be  pleased  to  examine  your 
sketches  or  model,  and  advise  you,  without  charge,  in  regard 
to  the  probability  of  securing  a  patent. 

We  send  you  a  copy  of  the  "  Scientific  American,"  and 
would  be  happy  to  have  your  name  on  our  subscription  books. 
Terms  $3  a  year,  $1.50  six  months.  Four  months'  trial,  $i. 
We  also  mail  you  our  supplement  catalogue  under  another 
cover. 

Yours  truly,  (132) 

Messrs.  J.  BARRIE  &  Co., 
Cleveland,  O. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  your  favor  of  the  2d,  we  beg  to 
say  that  the  mode  of  application  for  patent  in  Belgium  is  as 
follows : 

A  sealed  packet  must  be  deposited  containing  a  duplicate 
specification  and  drawings  on  the  metric  system.  One  set 
must  be  on  stamp  paper.  A  receipt  for  payment  on  the  first 
year's  tax  of  10  francs  must  be  presented.  The  deposit  must 
be  made  at  the  registry  of  one  of  the  provincial  governments, 
or  at  the  office  of  a  district  Commissary.  Memorandum  of 
the  date  is  made  on  register,  signed  by  the  applicant  or  his 
attorney,  and  a  copy  thereof  given  to  the  applicant.  Patent  is 
granted  in  about  a  month  without  examination,  the  date  of 
register  being  taken.  Power  of  attorney  need  not  be  legalized. 

The  average  cost  for  one  mark  is  $22,  and  a  separate  power 
of  attorney  is  required  for  each  mark  registered. 

Yours  very  truly,  (r6o) 

Mr.  L.  P.  ANDREWS, 

Bangor,  Me. 

Dear  Sir  :  Trade-marks  form  an  important  subject  in  these 
days  of  clever  imitations,  and,  together  with  patent  rights, 
give  some  security  to  an  inventor  or  importer  of  a  particular 
manufactured  article.  The  importance  of  trade-marks  in 


88  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

foreign  countries  is  frequently  under-estimated  by  those  who 
do  not  take  into  consideration  the  fact  that  the  foreign  buyer 
is  often  uneducated  or  illiterate,  and  the  distinctive  marks  on 
an  article  which  he  has  once  bought  and  proved  satisfactory 
will  be  his  only  sure  guide  in  future  purchases.  In  this 
manner  it  is  of  great  advantage  to  the  trader,  as  he  is  thereby 
enabled  to  reap  with  more  certainty  his  foreign  custom. 

It  is  also  a  protection  to  the  public  generally,  as  in  buying 
an  article  with  a  well-known  trade-mark  they  are  more 
certain  of  receiving  goods  of  a  standard  quality. 

Very  truly  yours,  (147) 

Patent  Foods. 
Mr.  J  B.  HOGEMAX, 

New  York. 

Dear  Sir  :  After  a  careful  line  of  experiments,  aided  by  the 
facilities  and  experience  obtained  while  the  writer  was 
manager  of  the  N.  Y.  Gluten  &  Phosphate  Food  Co.,  we  have 
perfected  the  Manufacture  of  Gluten  Foods.  Gluten  Foods 
made  by  the  Pure  Gluten  Food  Co.  contain  practically  no 
starch,  while  they  are  rich  in  Nitrates  and  Phosphates,  the 
essentials  in  the  upbuilding  and  strengthening  of  the  Muscles, 
Fibres,  and  Bones.  Gluten  cannot  be  produced  by  any 
Milling  process  notwithstanding  claims  to  the  contrary,  made 
by  bakers,  millers,  healthfood  companies,  and  the  like,  and  no 
other  company  claiming  to  manufacture  Gluten  has  ever  pro- 
duced a  food  which  did  not  contain  a  high  percentage  of 
starch.  Ordinary  wheat  flour  contains  only  about  9  per  cent. 
Gluten  and  70  to  75  per  cent,  starch.  Unless  the  starch 
extracted  can  be  profitably  utilized  in  other  directions  the  cost 
of  the  Gluten  would  be  extremely  high  (at  least  6oc.  per  lb.). 
Being  directly  connected  with  a  starch  manufacturer  we  are 
enabled  to  produce  in  its  purest  form  Gluten  Food  at  a 
moderate  cost.  No  chemicals  used,  the  process  being  an 
entirely  mechanical  one.  The  Pure  Food  Gluten  Co.'s  prepa- 
rations have  been  submitted  to  some  of  the  best  Medical 
Authorities  on  Diabetes  and  Dyspepsia,  and  have  received 
their  highest  endorsement,  while  a  number  are  using  them  in 
their  own  families  and  in  their  practice. 

We  will  be  pleased  to  send  samples  for  trial  and  comparison. 
Yours  truly,  (246; 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  8g 

Mr.  HUGO  DOWNS, 

New  York. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  now  placing  upon  the  American  market 
a  standard  English  preparation  known  as  Abbey's  Effervescent 
Salt.  It  is  a  pleasant  Saline  Laxative,  the  antacid  properties 
of  which  render  it  particularly  efficacious.  It  is  put  up  in  a 
package  that  will  add  to  the  attractiveness  of  your  store.  It 
will  be  introduced  in  a  high-class  manner,  through  the  Drug 
Trade  only,  and  in  accordance  with  the  resolutions  of  the 
N.A.R.D.  and  N.W.D.A.  "Abbey's  Salt  "  will  not  be  sold  to 
Department  Stores,  nor  to  the  Grocery  Trade,  and  we  will  do 
our  utmost  to  keep  the  price  from  being  cut.  This  is  a  policy 
which  has  been  followed  successfully  by  this  Company 
wherever  it  has  operated.  This  preparation  will  receive 
support  from  the  Medical  Profession  in  the  United  States,  as 
it  has  in  Great  Britain,  Europe,  India  and  Canada.  "Abbey's" 
will  be  extensively,  thoroughly  and  constantly  advertised  in  a 
clean,  honest,  attractive  manner,  and  will  be  made,  as  else- 
where in  the  past  and  more  recently  in  Canada,  the  leading- 
pharmaceutical  specialty  of  this  country.  "  Abbey's  "  will  be 
a  quick  seller  in  the  immediate  future.  We  don't  ask  you  to 
carry  an  immense  stock.  We  simply  ask  you  to  supply  the 
demand  which  we  will  create,  as  it  is  created,  and  then  you 
can  judge  for  yourself  as  to  how  much  stock  you  should  carry. 
We  are  not  trying  to  load  you  up  with  stock,  but  we  should 
like  to  have  you  do  everything  you  can  to  further  the  sales  of 
a  Company  which  has  done  in  the  past,  and  will  do  in  the 
future,  everything  in  its  power  to  confine  its  sales  to  the 
legitimate  Retail  Druggist. 

Very  truly  yours,  (3°6) 

Mr.  L.  M.  PLEWES, 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  The  action  of  tonics  containing  drugs  is  quick, 
probably  too  quick  to  be  safe ;  some  people  like  and  expect 
quick  results,  noticing  with  satisfaction  the  apparent  sensation 
of  well  being  after  taking  some  powerful  drug,  unaware  of 
the  after  effects,  and  at  what  fearful  cost  these  few  hours  of 
increased  vigor  are  bought.  Do  not  expect  quick  action  from 
one  bottle  of  Saint  Raphael  Wine,  there  is  no  magic  panacea 
in  it,  it  is  simply  the  healthful  parts  of  the  richest  French 
Grapes  concentrated  and  pasteurized.  St.  Raphael  Wine  will 


90  TWENTIETH    CENTURY   BUSINESS    DICTATION    fiOOk. 

surely  and  slowly  help  you  regain  your  health  when  taken  in 
small  quantities  after  meals,  for  several  weeks,  the  nutritious 
principles  of  the  fruit  must  go  into  your  blood  by  the  natural 
and  only  process,  through  your  stomach.  You  may  try  one 
bottle  before  deciding  to  use  it,  as  we  do  not  expect  everybody 
to  believe  our  statements.  We  have  on  file  in  our  office 
endorsements  of  eminent  N.  Y.  physicians  which  we  are  not 
at  liberty  to  publish.  However,  they  can  be  shown  to  callers. 
One  bottle,  75C.,  one  dozen,  $8.00.  The  wine  may  be  obtained 
from  us  directly,  if  so  desired.  Do  not  be  surprised  to  be 
offered  something  "just  as  good  "  at  many  stores,  as  we  cannot 
afford  to  give  between  100  per  cent,  and  200  per  cent,  profit  to 
dealers,  it  would  be  too  expensive  for  the  public 

Yours  respectfully,  (240) 

Mr.  ALFRED  PEARSON, 

N.  Y.  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Permit  us  to  call  your  attention  to  the  con- 
venience and  value  of  Horlick's  Malted  Milk  as  an  office 
luncheon  for  business  men. 

It  not  only  supplies  all  needed  nourishment,  at  a  moment's 
notice,  thus  saving  valuable  time,  but  will  prove  beneficial  in 
impaired  or  weakened  digestion,  dyspepsia,  etc.,  as  well.  A 
recuperative,  nourishing  luncheon,  far  superior  to  the  hastily 
eaten  and  often  indigestible  restaurant  fare.  Invaluable  as  a 
table  beverage,  in  place  of  tea,  coffee,  cocoa,  for  it  not  only 
refreshes,  but  nourishes,  builds  and  sustains.  A  cupful,  taken 
hot  upon  retiring,  rests  the  nerves,  relieves  insomnia,  and 
induces  sound,  refreshing  sleep. 

Our  delicious  food  product  is  prepared  from  the  nutritive 
extracts  of  malted  grains,  combined  with  a  generous  propor- 
tion of  pure,  rich,  full-cream  milk.  Highly  concentrated  and 
partially  digested.  In  a  powdered  form,  and  prepared  for  use 
by  simply  dissolving  in  water.  No  milk  or  boiling  required. 
For  the  greater  convenience  of  the  business  man,  Horlick's 
Malted  Milk  is  also  put  up  in  tablet  form.  These  are  to  be 
eaten  dry,  and  require  no  preparing  whatever.  Fifteen  to  25 
tablets  are  equivalent  to  a  full  meal. 

May  we  send  you  a  sample  for  trial,  prepaid,  and  with  our 
compliments  ?  Enclosed  postal,  returned,  will  bring  it. 

Awaiting  your  pleasure,  we  remain, 

Very  truly,  (220) 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  91 

Pensions. 

HON.  COMMISSIONER  OF  PENSIONS, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Dear  Sir  :  Please  furnish  me  the  status  of  the  pending 
Additional  Pension  claim  of  Nathaniel  Small,  Co.  "  L  "  54th, 
Penna.  Vols.,  Certificate  No.  212,240.  The  history  of  this 
case  is  as  follows:  In  November,  1895,  I,  as  claimant's 
attorney,  filed  his  claim  for  increase  and  Additional  (new 
disability)  Pension.  He  was  at  that  time  receiving  only  $2 
per  month  for  gun-shot  wound  on  right  arm.  On  April  6, 
1896,  a  Certificate  was  issued  to  him,  increasing  his  pension 
from  $2  to  $4  from  February  3,  1896.  by  reason  of  pensioned 
cause,  but  nothing  on  disease  of  lungs,  his  alleged  additional 
disability.  I  then  filed  a  new  affidavit  of  the  claimant, 
appealing  to  the  Commissioner  of  Pensions  for  a  reconsider- 
ation of  his  case,  alleging  bronchitis  or  lung  disease  as  having 
been  contracted  by  him  in  said  service  and  line  of  duty, 
explaining  fully  the  origin  of  said  disabilities.  In  proof  of 
his  allegation  I  filed  the  affidavits  of  his  comrades,  Francis 
Johnson  and  Alvin  Strope,  and  in  proof  of  his  continued 
disability  since  discharge,  resulting  therefrom,  I  filed  the 
affidavits  of  Dr.  D.  S.  Platt,  and  neighbors  Israel  Carr, 
Gilbert  H.  Grooes,  Burton  F.  Bousen,  and  J.  B.  Bennett. 
I  have  not  yet  received  notice  that  said  application  and 
evidence  has  ever  received  consideration.  Please  inform  me 
as  requested. 

Very  truly  yours,  (228) 

Mrs.  SARAH  CLARKE, 
Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Madam  :  John  Clarke  is  an  applicant  for  pension  by 
reason  of  service  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  under  the  name  of  John 
Emerson.  I  am  his  attorney.  The  Pension  Office  requires 
evidence  to  satisfy  them  that  he  is  the  identical  person  who 
served  in  the  Navy  under  the  name  of  John  Emerson.  He 
has  just  been  at  my  office  and  stated  that  you  know  the  facts 
required,  and,  from  information  given  me  by  him,  I  have 
written  for  you  the  affidavit  which  I  herewith  enclose.  He 
has  read  it,  and  believes  that  you  know  all  the  facts  that 
it  contains  and  can  subscribe  to  it.  If  so,  please  go  before  a 
Notary  Public  and  sign  and  be  sworn  to  it,  and  return  to  me 
in  enclosed  envelope. 


92  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

He  also  informs  me  that  your  son,  Freeman  Lovell,  also 
knows  the  facts  in  relation  to  this  matter,  and  that  he  served 
in  the  Navy  under  the  name  of  John  Emerson  from  March, 
1863,  to  March,  1864.  I  enclose  you  an  additional  blank,  on 
which  please  have  Mr.  Lovell  make  his  statement  of  such  facts 
as  he  knows,  tending  to  prove  what  is  required,  and,  after 
being  sworn  to  same,  also  send  me  his  affidavit.  I  send  these 
at  Mr.  John  Clarke's  request. 

Please  attend  to  the  matter  as  soon  as  possible.     We  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  (230) 

Pianos. 

Mr.  C.  D.  CARTER, 

Waterbury,  Conn. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  have  just  received  your  kind  letter,  and  take 
pleasure  in  replying  promptly.  We  are  sending  you  in  this 
mail  our  120  page  book  of  information,  which  we  think  you 
will  find  very  interesting  and  complete.  If  there  is  any 
information  you  would  like,  and  it  is  not  in  the  book,  please 
let  us  know,  and  we  will  be  glad  to  write  you  fully. 

We  are  selling  our  pianos  direct  from  our  factory,  and  not 
through  agents  or  dealers.  The  usual  way  to  buy  a  piano  is 
from  a  retail  agent  or  dealer,  but  there  are  a  great  many 
advantages  in  buying  direct  from  the  factory.  We  do  not 
have  a  single  agent  or  salesman.  We  have  no  salesroom, 
except  our  factory.  We  transact  all  business  and  ship  all 
pianos  direct  from  our  factory.  Our  expenses  are  small,  and 
we  sell  a  large  number  of  pianos,  therefore  a  very  small  profit 
pays  us.  If  you  purchase  a  piano  direct  from  us,  you  will 
save  the  entire  agent's  profit,  which  is  from  $75  to  $200. 

We  enclose  in  this  letter  a  special  written  list,  giving  our 
best  net  wholesale  prices  on  our  different  styles,  and  also  our 
best  terms  of  payment.  If  these  terms  are  not  exactly  what 
you  desire,  and  you  prefer  to  pay  in  some  other  way,  please 
let  us  know  what  terms  would  suit  you  better,  and  we  will  try 
and  arrange  them  to  your  satisfaction. 

We  will  pay  all  freights  in  advance  on  any  piano  that  you 
order,  and  will  deliver  the  piano  at  your  railroad  depot  free  of 
expense  to  you. 

We  will  send  with  any  piano  you  order  a  stool  and  scarf  of 
the  very  best  quality. 

Very  truly  yours,  (293) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  93 

Mr.  CHARLES  A.  GIMM, 

Troy,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  You  probably  remember  our  writing  you  not 
long  ago  about  our  pianos,  and  our  quoting  3-011  a  special 
price  to  introduce  them  in  your  locality.  We  said  then  we 
hardly  expected  an  immediate  sale,  but  would  be  pleased  at 
the  prospect  of  placing  one  of  our  pianos  in  your  home  on 
trial  at  some  future  time.  It  may  be  that  you  have  since  pur- 
chased a  piano,  and  if  so,  or  if  you  are  for  any  other  reason 
out  of  the  market,  we  would  be  under  obligations  if  you  would 
so  write  us.  Or  if  you  have  no  piano  at  present,  but  are  not 
ready  to  buy  just  now,  kindly  let  us  hear  from  you  anyway. 
So  long  as  we  are  assured  of  having  one  of  our  pianos  in  your 
place  as  a  sample,  even  though  it  be  not  in  the  immediate 
future,  we  will  allow  our  special  offer  to  you  to  remain  open. 

We  earnestly  request  that  you  kindly  favor  us  with  an 
early  reply,  which  will  be  highly  appreciated.  We  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (l&2} 

Pottery. 
THE  J.  B.  BECK  Co., 

Marshfield,  Mo. 

Gentlemen  :  We  received  your  favor  of  yesterday,  and  shall 
order  the  matchings  to  come  as  soon  as  possible,  and  have 
given  instructions  in  regard  to  color  and  execution. 

We  also  take  pleasure  in  handing  you  the  enclosed  letter 
received  from  our  Limoges  house  for  you.  We  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (58) 

Messrs.  J.  P.  BONNALL,  SON  &  Co., 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Gentlemen :  We  beg  to  inform  you  that  we  have  just 
received  another  shipment  of  Carlsbad  dinner  sets  packed  in 
a  cask  in  three  decorations  stippled  gold,  which  we  offer  to 
you  at  $10.00  a  set  by  the  cask — terms  :  net  30  days. 

As  undoubtedly  you  had  good  results  with  the  sets  bought 
from  us  formerly,  we  hope  that  you  will  favor  us  with  an 
order  for  one  or  more  packages  of  this  lot.  As  the  sets 
undoubtedly  will  go  very  fast,  we  ask  you  to  kindly  let  us 
have  your  answer,  if  you  desire  any,  by  return  of  mail. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (i  18) 


94  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  WM.  J.  BRINSMEAD, 

Stamford,  Conn. 

Dear  Sir:  We  take  pleasure  in  handing  you  enclosed  litho- 
graphs representing  a  number  of  desirable  chromo  decorations 
with  which  we  have  been  very  successful  this  year.  The 
eight  lithographs  also  show  you  the  outlines  of  five  different 
shapes  which  have  been  especially  designed  and  manufactured 
for  the  United  States  at  our  own  factory  at  Limoges,  France, 
and  all  of  which  are  protected  by  U.  S.  Letters  Patent. 
Enclosed  we  beg  to  hand  you  price-list  for  the  different 
patterns  for  dinner-ware,  as  well  as  toilet-ware,  and  beg  to 
state  that  the  prices  are  import  prices — terms  :  30  days  net. 

It  would  give  us  great  pleasure  if  you  would  find  one  or 
more  of  these  patterns  to  your  liking  and  add  them  to  your 
assortment  of  open  stock  patterns,  and  favor  us  with  an 
import  order  for  fall  delivery,  which  we  can  assure  you  would 
have  our  very  best  attention. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  064) 

Mr.  S.  S.  BOHMER, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  We  are  pleased  to  notice  your  arrival  in  our 
city,  and  beg  to  inform  you  that  our  large  and  attractive  line 
of  New  Import  Samples  is  complete.  We  have  brought  out 
mostly  specialties  and  novelties,  which  we  do  not  hesitate  to 
say  have  never  been  equalled,  and  if  you  will  kindly  inspect 
our  assortment,  you  will  admit  that  it  is  worth  a  visit  to  New 
York  for  this  purpose  alone.  We  would  call  your  particular 
attention  to  the  productions  from  our  own  works  at  Limoges 
and  Altrohlau.  All  these  samples  are  beautifully  displayed, 
and  we  feel  sure  that  the  goods,  as  well  as  the  prices,  will 
interest  you. 

Hoping  you  will  decide  to  look  through  our  lines  before 
placing  your  orders  elsewhere,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (:32) 

Mr.  CLARENCE  S.  CRING, 
Ridley,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir :  Referring  to  the  White  China  Price-Book  sent  to 
you  about  two  weeks  ago,  we  to-day  take  the  pleasure  in 
sending  you  three  more  photographs  (Nos.  16-18)  and  price 
lists  just  issued,  and  call  your  special  attention  to  sheet  17, 
which  illustrates  a  very  desirable  line  of  vases,  etc. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  95 

It  would  please  us  very  much  if  you  would  favor  us  with  an 
import  order  for  some  of  the  articles,  and  if  you  would  also 
file  these  photos  with  the  former  ones  sent  for  future 
references.  As  soon  as  new  articles  have  been  manufactured 
and  the  photos  issued,  we  shall  take  the  liberty  of  sending 
the  same  to  you,  so  that  you  will  be  in  possession  of  a 
complete  catalogue  of  our  Limoges  productions. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you,  we  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  ( 1 40) 

Mr.  ROBERT  HASKINS, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  will  open 
up  at  the  Empire  Hotel  with  a  very  full  line  of  our  latest 
Novelties  and  Specialties  of  this  season's  importations, 
together  with  a  number  of  articles  we  are  closing  out  from  our 
stock ;  the  latter  at  a  very  great  reduction  from  the  regular 
price,  and  would,  therefore,  be  pleased  to  have  you  meet  me 
while  there. 

Your  immediate  reply  by  enclosed  postal  will  be  very  much 
appreciated  by, 

Yours  very  truly,  (89) 

THE  ART  POTTERY  Co., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen :  Kindly  inform  us  if  you  can  supply  the 
following  articles  in  blue  Meissen  onion  china,  and  at  what 
prices : — 

Dinner  plates, 
Soup  plates, 
Breakfast  plates, 
Bread  and  butter  plates, 
Soup  tureens, 
Sauce  tureens, 
Bakers, 
Preserves, 
Butter  dishes, 
Individual  butters. 

These  articles  are  for  one  of  our  very  best  customers,  and 
we  would  like  to  help  him  out  in  the  matter. 

Be  kind  enough  to  let  us  have  your  answer  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment,  and  oblige, 

Yours  very  truly,  (86) 


96  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK 

Mr.  W.  W.  LOCKWOOD, 

Clinton,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir :  We  again  take  pleasure  in  inviting  you  to  call 
and  inspect  our  beautiful  assortment  of  Holiday  Goods,  which 
we  have  but  recently  unpacked. 
We  call  particular  attention  to  our  display  of: — 
Rich  Bohemian  Glassware, 
Blue  Delft  &  Italian  Faience, 
Latest  Novelties  in  Dresden  China, 
and  many  other  articles  suitable  for  Christmas  presents. 
Hoping  to  be  favored  with  a  visit,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (72) 

THE  ROBERT  F.  BAXTER  Co., 

San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Gentlemen  :  Enclosed  please  find  memoranda  of  goods  to 
arrive  : — 

Three  casks  Nos.  4567  to  4569  from  Doulton  &  Co. 
Eight  casks  Nos.   6482-5,  6493-4,   6497/8  from   the   Royal 
Dresden  factory. 
One  cask  No.  785  from  Limoges. 
Two  cases  1815  from  Carlsbad. 
One  case  7506  from  the  Royal  Berlin  Factory. 
We  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  (61 ) 

Mr.  W.  L.  KEENER, 

Benton,  Ga. 

Dear  Sir  :  Much  to  our  regret  we  have  not  been  favored 
with  any  orders  from  you  for  French  china  open  stock  dinner 
ware.  We  wish  to  call  your  attention  particularly  to  our  best 
new  pattern  of  the  above,  and  would  be  much  pleased  to  send 
you  a  sample  of  the  same  with  lowest  stock  and  import  prices. 
We  feel  sure  that  this  pattern  would  sell  advantageously  with 
your  trade,  and  once  introduced,  it  would  be  a  great  benefit  to 
you  to  know  that  you  could  draw  upon  our  stock  for  prompt 
deliveries,  as  we  always  keep  a  large  stock  of  the  same  on 
hand  in  New  York. 

Hoping  that  we  will  be  able  to  do  some  business  with  you 
in  this  line  to  our  mutual  advantage,  and  awaiting  the  pleasure 
of  your  reply,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (T43) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION-.  97 

Printing  and   Engraving  Correspondence. 

Messrs.  J.  J.  HOWE  &  Co., 

Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  your  remark  on  our  letter,  we  Can 
set  the  whole  matter  up  if  you  will  allow  us  the  expense  for 
so  doing.  The  price  we  charge  and  quote  you  for  printing  is 
only  for  a  plain  corner  card  or  address,  but  when  it  comes  to 
so  much  matter  as  you  require  on  yours,  tue  composition  is 
quite  an  item  and  has  to  be  paid  for  extra. 

In  order  to  do  this  properly,  it  will  be  necessary  to  show 
you  a  proof  before  they  are  printed,  for  otherwise  it  may  not 
be  quite  satisfactory  to  you,  and  then,  after  being  printed, 
would  be  of  no  use  to  anybody  else. 

To  set  this  up  and  get  a  proof  will  consume  some  time,  but 
we  can  deliver  the  envelopes  to  you  in  six  to  eight  days  after 
the  proof,  if  found  satisfactory. 

If  you  leave  the  matter  in  our  hands,  we  shall  do  our  best  to 
please  you,  and  furnish  the  envelopes  at  the  price  quoted,  if 
you  will  allow  us  extra  for  the  composition. 

Yours  truly,  (l^S) 

WILLIAMS  ELECTRIC  MANUFACTURING  Co., 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Gentlemen:  Your  favor  of  the  i3th  inst.  received.  This 
was  addressed  to  our  main  office  at  New  York  and  referred  to 
us  for  attention.  Pursuant  to  your  request  in  same,  we  are 
enclosing  you  samples  of  the  three  grades  of  Peerless  Giant 
Insulating  Paper  we  manufacture,  as  well  as  a  small  sample 
of  our  little  Peerless  Paper.  All  of  these  grades  have  been 
used  to  some  extent  in  electrical  work,  but  we  are  not  conver- 
sant enough  with  this  branch  of  the  business  to  advise  you 
just  where  it  would  be  most  serviceable.  The  3~ply  Paper 
will  be  found  on  trial  to  be  an  excellent  substitute  for  mica, 
etc.,  for  ring  and  other  armatures,  and  the  i-ply  a  most 
excellent  material  for  wrapping  field  coils  and  armatures. 
The  Little  Peerless  is  a  very  thin  and  strong  Paper,  and  is 
made  especially  for  repairs  or  rewinding  old  armatures  where 
an  exact  diameter  of  the  winding  is  required.  The  enclosed 
circular  will  probably  give  you  any  further  information  you 
may  desire. 

Thanking  you  for  past  courtesies  extended  to  us,  and 
awaiting  your  further  valued  commands,  we  are, 

Very  truly  yours,         (196) 

7D.  B. 


98  TWENTIETH   CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  MARTIN,  SON  &  Co., 
New  York  City. 

Gentlemen :  This  is  an  imitation  Typewriter  letter,  with 
your  name  and  address  written  in  with  a  typewriter.  With 
such  letters,  you  can  appeal  direct  to  your  customers  or  to  the 
Public  in  general  and  at  once  get  their  attention. 

These  letters  are  just  as  good  as  if  all  typewritten,  and  as 
the  same  matter  may  be  sent  to  different  people,  are  next  to  a 
personal  call  for  business  purposes.  We  produce  them  in 
any  color  or  quantity,  on  short  notice,  copies  or  uncopied 
effect,  and  at  very  reasonable  prices. 

Let  us  hear  from  you  and  we  will  call,  or  send  you  prices 
with  other  samples  of  our  work. 

Very  truly  yours,  (119) 

Mr.  L.  G.  LLOYD, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  We  enclose  a  sample  of  our  No.  521,  which  is 
the  nearest  we  have  in  shade  to  the  sample  envelope  you  sent 
us.  We  can  furnish  you  this  envelope  in  5  M.  lots,  delivered, 
with  the  printing  on  back  and  face  as  shown  on  your  sample, 
arrangement  to  be  made  on  the  flaps  of  the  back  so  that  all 
can  be  done  at  one  impression,  @  $2.25  per  M.,  size  of  the 
envelope  being  our  6^  high  cut,  printing  to  be  in  black  ink. 
If  printing  is  wanted  in  blue  ink  price  would  be  $2.35  per  M. 

Your  inquiry  is  referred  to  us  by  the  Morton  Paper 
Company,  to  whom  it  was  addressed. 

Very  respectfully,  (123) 

THE  HERBERT  C.  MEYER  Co., 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Gentlemen  :  We  presume  the  burning  question  with  you 
now  is,  "  How  may  business  be  increased  ?  "  We  venture  to 
offer  you  a  suggestion,  which,  while  not  entirely  disinterested, 
will  be  none  the  less  valuable  if  adopted  by  you. 

Nowadays  it  is  the  personal  appeal  which  secures  attention, 
either  in  the  form  of  a  personal  call  or  a  personal  letter.  Our 
experience  teaches  us  that  the  best  results  are  attained  by  a 
combination  of  the  two  methods.  In  other  words,  your 
representative's  efforts  can  be  made  more  effective  if  supple- 
mented by  a  personal  communication. 

We  make  a  business  of  supplying  fac-simile  typewritten 
letters  in  quantities,  by  a  patented  process,  which  an  expert 
cannot  distinguish  from  genuine  typewritten  letters,  filling  in 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  <)() 

the  name  and  address  of  each  individual.  You  can  readily 
see  that  a  large  quantity  of  form  letters  sent  out  in  this  way 
will  have  all  the  effect  of  personally  communicating  with 
your  people. 

Kindly  let  us  hear  from  you  if  you  want  to  obtain  the  best 
results  from  your  efforts  to  get  business.  We  can  do  you 
good. 

If  you  telephone  us  (1,000  Broad)  our  representative  will 
call  on  you. 

Awaiting  your  reply,  we  are, 

Yours  very  truly,  (203) 

Messrs.  HUGHES  &  Co., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  We  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  our  extensive 
and  complete  facilities  for  Color  Photographic  Reproduction 
and  Printing. 

We  have  illustrated  in  colors  some  thirty  odd  books  for 
leading  publishers  in  the  East. 

An  innovation,  which  almost  entirely  obliterates  the  effect 
of  the  screen  to  the  naked  eye,  recently  introduced  in  our 
work,  insures  most  beautiful  and  delicate  results. 

We  shall  be  glad  to  show  you  some  of  our  latest  products 
on  request.  Hoping  to  be  favored  when  you  are  in  the 
market  for  work  to  be  done  in  colors,  we  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (I02) 

Messrs.  LOVEJOY  &  Co., 

"  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Acknowledging  receipt  of  your  inquiry  of  the 
loth  inst.,  we  enclose  herewith  samples  requested.  We  take 
pleasure  in  quoting  you  the  following  prices. 

Fac-simile  typewritten  letters,  body  of  the  letter  style, 
which  is  the  letter  beginning  with  Dear  Sir,  Gentlemen  or 
blank,  and  ending  with  or  without  a  typewritten  signature, 
$2.00  per  thousand.  If  names  and  addresses  are  to  be 
inserted,  $5.00  per  thousand.  If  to  include  a  fac-simile  hand- 
written signature,  the  first  thousand  $6.75,  and  each  additional 
thousand  of  this  style  $6.00. 

We  trust  you  will  examine  the  enclosed  samples  carefully 

and  decide  on  favoring  us  with  a  trial  order,  feeling  that  this 

trial   will   result   in   securing  you    as    one    of    our   regular 

customers.     Let  us  have  this  order.     Awaiting  same,  we  are, 

Yours  very  truly,  (i36) 


100          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  ELMER  B.  JONES  &  Co., 

Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen :  We  send  you  to-day,  under  separate  cover,  a 
sixteen  page  specimen  portfolio,  containing  numerous  samples 
of  printing  executed  in  our  works  by  the  Colortype  process. 

Should  you  desire  to  have  us  send  you  any  additional 
specimens  of  our  work,  particularly  appropriate  to  your 
business  of  publishing,  we  shall  be  glad  to  do  so  upon 
request,  as  we  have  executed  a  large  amount  of  work  of  this 
character  for  leading  Eastern  publishers. 

Our  Mr.  Chas.  W.  Smith  will  be  at  the  Hotel  Bartholdi, 
23d  Street  and  Broadway,  New  York,  on  and  after  August 
ist,  where  he  will  be  pleased  to  wait  on  you  and  give  you  all 
the  desired  information  relative  to  this  new  and  economical 
method  of  color  printing.  He  will  be  pleased  to  have  you 
favor  him  with  an  opportunity  to  acquaint  you  with  the 
method,  and  to  that  end  he  is  at  your  service  to  wait  on  you 
wherever  you  may  designate  by  letter  or  telephone  call  to  the 
Hotel. 

Thanking  you  in  advance  for  the  courtesy  in  extending  an 
opportunity  to  meet  you,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (i  88) 

Mr.  JAMES  W.  MOORE, 

Milford,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir:  We  herewith  enclose  you  estimate  for  10,000 
catalogues,  size  7  x  8|,  cover  to  be  lithographed  in  three 
colors,  inset  one  printing  by  type,  with  half-tone  cuts,  at  $30 
per  thousand.  These  figures  can  probably  be  shaded  some- 
what after  sketch  is  submitted  and  approved,  thus  enabling 
us  to  figure*  more  accurately  on  the  work  submitted.  We 
have  mailed  you  under  separate  cover  the  catalogue  you 
furnished  for  estimate. 

Very  truly  yours,  (78) 

Messrs.  DODGE  &  SON, 

New  York. 

Gentlemen  :  A  number  of  the  large  printers  in  New  York, 
Chicago,  and  elsewhere  have  in  the  last  year  put  in  small 
plants  for  the  manufacture  of  their  own  black  inE';  first,  from 
a  knowledge  that  they  can  save  about  one-half  the  cost  of  the 
ink ;  and  second,  that  at  any  time  they  are  able  to  make  any 
special  ink  for  special  paper  at  an  hour's  notice,  thus  saving 
time  and  trouble. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  JO) 

The  machinery  for  these  individual  plants  is  inexpensive, 
the  space  and  power  required  is  small,  the  materials  are  on 
sale  in  the  open  market,  and  the  result  in  every  case  has  been 
extremely  satisfactory.  We  have  started  several  of  these 
plants,  and  are  at  liberty  to  refer  to  their  owners. 

Our  plan  is  to  take  one  of  your  employees  (capable  of 
earning  $2.00  per  day),  teach  him  to  make  as  good  black  ink 
of  any  quality  as  any  ink  manufacturer  produces,  hand  you 
the  recipes  so  you  will  always  know  how  these  goods  are 
made,  and  thus  make  you  master  of  the  situation. 

Our  charges  for  this  instruction  are  moderate,  and  we 
anticipate  that,  when  the  fact  of  this  successful  result  from 
individual  plants  becomes  known,  a  large  proportion  of  the 
large  printers  will  adopt  this  method  of  becoming  independent 
of  the  "  ink  man." 

We  shall  be  glad  to  call  upon  you  and  talk  this  matter  over. 
Yours  truly,  (234) 

Messrs.  B.  POTTS  &  SONS, 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  We've  been  paying  solicitors  from  10  per  cent, 
to  1 5  per  cent,  for  looking  up  engravings  for  us. 

We've  quit— no  more  solicitors  to  worry  you  to  death,  the 
10  per  cent,  or  15  per  cent,  is  yours.  We'll  split  the  difference 
in  this  way :  we'll  put  50  per  cent,  of  this  commission  into 
bettering  the  quality  of  the  work,  and  we'll  let  you  have  the 
other  half  in  price. 

We'll  deal  direct.  We  hope  to  do  business  with  you,  but 
we  won't  bother  you  by  breaking  in  on  you  seven  times  a 
week  to  see  "  if  you  are  ready  yet."  Say  the  word,  and  some 
one  of  the  firm  will  call,  some  one  who  has  sense  and  can 
talk  intelligently,  and  who  can  make  a  price  then  and  there 
without  "  letting  you  know  this  afternoon." 

Among  other  good  people  we  do  work  for  are  :  Columbia 
University,  Harvard  University,  Clark  University,  The 
Macmillan  Co.,  Harper  &  Bros.,  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  Chas. 
Scribner's  Sons. 

Those  people  know  when  work  is  right,  both  as  regards 
quality  and  price ;    we   please  them,   we  don't  see  why  we 
shouldn't  be  able  to  please  you  ;  we'd  like  the  opportunity  to 
try,  anyhow. 
Yours  for  proper  work  at  proper  prices.     We  are, 

Yours  truly,  (213) 


102  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  PIERCE  &  Co., 

New  York. 

Gentlemen :  As  you  are  in  the  publishing  business,  you 
undoubtedly  use  more  or  less  engraving  by  various  methods 
in  the  course  of  the  year.  We  engrave  by  all  methods. 
We  have  found  by  past  experience  that  the  summer  months 
are  apt  to  be  quite  dull  in  our  business,  and  as  we 
have  our  working  force  perfectly  organized  as  it  is,  we 
do  not  wish  to  dispense  with  any  of  our  men  during 
the  dull  season.  We  are  going  to  make  you  a  special  offer 
to  furnish  you  work  of  the  very  highest  grade  from  now 
until  the  ist  of  October  next,  and  as  long  thereafter  as 
we  do  not  notify  to  the  contrary,  at  a  much  lower  figure 
than  you  have  been  able  to  purchase  at  heretofore.  We  can 
give  you  just  as  prompt  and  careful  service  as  if  we  were  in 
your  town,  and  our  work  is  always  sold  under  absolute 
guarantee  as  to  quality.  We  are  all  interested  in  saving 
money,  and  if  this  interests  you,  kindly  advise  us  at  once, 
and  we  will  quote  you  prices  on  both  half  tone  and  zinc 
engraving,  and  forward  a  full  line  of  samples.  Our  proposi- 
tion is  bond  fide ',  and  we  hope  you  will  take  advantage  of  it. 
The  saving  we  offer  you  will  amount  to  considerable  as  you 
will  find,  and  if  you  will  give  us  one  trial,  we  believe  you  will 
become  a  permanent  customer.  Awaiting  the  courtesy  of  an 
early  reply,  we  beg  to  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (256) 

Produce  Commission. 

THE  FARMERS'  SOCIETY, 

Mt.  Moses,  Vt. 

Gentlemen :  Our  market  is  a  peculiar  one.  Instead  of 
declining  in  price  light  receipts  are  forcing  it  even  higher,  as 
you  will  see  by  the  circular  enclosed.  There  is  actually  no 
activity  in  our  market,  the  advance  is  caused  by  the  light 
offerings,  and  we  cannot  understand  the  cause  of  it.  In  our 
opinion  the  make  of  butter  ought  to  show  an  increase,  and  we 
are  confident  it  will  from  now  on,  and  we  will  say  honestly 
that  we  have  no  faith  in  present  price. 

Now,  do  not  overlook  us.  Give  us  all  the  butter  you  can, 
and  we  will  work  hard  to  please  you. 

Respectfully  yours,  (I!2) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  103 

Mr.  ROGER  TARPLEY, 

Akron,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir :  We  suppose  you  are  still  selling  on  track,  as  \vc 
are  confident  if  you  were  consigning,  we  would  have  our  share. 

Market  is  firm,  and  we  anticipate  a  steady  one  next  week. 

We  have  a  party  that  is  willing  to  pay  i2C.  for  four  to  seven 
cars  of  your  storage  eggs,  shipped  any  time  this  month  or 
first  week  in  May,  delivered  New  York.  On  this  deal  we 
would  handle  them  for  ice.  per  case.  Do  you  want  to  accept  ? 

Yours  truly,  (88) 

Mr.  L.  H.  SMITHSON, 

Paterson,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir:  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  icth,  and 
note  all  you  write.  We  will  advance  you  ice.  freight  paid 
New  York.  The  season  rate  for  storage  is  400  We  advised 
you  that  during  "At  Mark"  season  we  would  handle  your 
eggs  for  |c.,  but  said  nothing  about  carriage,  for  we  have  to 
pay  that,  and  it  would  not  leave  much  margin  otherwise. 

The  sooner  you  get  your  eggs  in  storage  the  better  now. 

See  P.  C.  and  ship.     We  are, 

Yours  truly,  (92) 

Mr.  L.  D.  WALKEH, 

Phoenix,  Ariz. 

Dear  Sir :  Storing  season  for  eggs  is  about  over,  and  we 
want  you  to  put  the  enclosed  business  card  in  a  conspicuous 
place,  so  that  when  you  feel  disposed  to  change  the  firm  to 
which  you  ship  or  feel  like  dividing,  it  will  remind  you.  There 
is  no  actual  inducement  we  can  offer  other  than  any  first-class 
house,  unless  perhaps  it  will  be  promptness  in  reporting  and 
"endering  sales.  One  thing  we  think  may  possibly  be  to 
your  advantage  during  the  loss  period.  We  do  not  allow  any 
buyer  to  make  our  loss.  We  have  the  facilities  for  taking  out 
a  part  of  each  shipment  when  received,  and  either  sell  at  case 
count,  or  adjust  loss  off  with  purchaser  before  delivery  of 
eggs.  We  need  eggs  coming  all  the  time,  fresh,  seconds,  and 
thirds,  and  if  you  will  let  us  hear  from  you,  we  will  keep  you 
well  advised,  and  hardly  think  you  will  regret  it  if  you  favor 
us  with  a  shipment. 

Market  12^  per  cent,  to-day  loss  off.  It  should  naturally 
react  soon,  enough  at  least  to  cover  loss.  Please  let  us  hear 
from  you. 

Respectfully  yours,  (X94) 


104  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  CLARK  &  CURTIS, 
Portland,  Me. 

Gentlemen :  Your  two  cars  of  eggs  sold  to-day  at  IDC.  We 
have  tried  the  market  thoroughly  on  them,  and  we  even  tried 
to  divide  them  up  into  small  lots,  but  they  would  not  go.  Our 
honest  opinion  is,  if  you  have  any  more  you  had  better  ship 
and  have  them  sold  at  once,  for  they  are  no  good.  We  tried 
hard,  gentlemen,  to  help  you  out,  but  when  our  market  is  full 
of  better  stock  at  same  price,  we  could  not  do  it. 

Ship  another  car  and  we  will  do  the  best  we  can. 

Respectfully  yours,  (i°o) 

Messrs.  J.  CROSS  &  Co., 

Champaigne,  111. 

Gentlemen:  Enclosed  find  account  sales  for  your  53  tubs  of 
butter  received  on  Thursday,  3d  inst.,  which  were  sold  as  you 
see  at  |c.  above  top  market  price.  The  market  is  in  surpris- 
ingly good  shape,  and  closes  firm  at  the  late  advance  with 
stores  cleaned  up.  This  has  been  caused  by  a  good  home 
demand,  combined  with  out-of-town  requirements,  and  has 
caused  a  very  active  market  this  week.  See  enclosed  circular, 
and  let  us  have  all  the  stock  you  can,  as  we  need  it,  and  will 
do  our  best  for  you. 

Respectfully  yours,  (121) 

Mr.  C.  W.  JONES, 

Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

Dear  Sir :  Our  reputation  as  receivers  of  creamery  butter 
is  too  well  known  to  need  any  introduction  to  you.  We  need 
more  fine  stock  to  meet  the  requirements  of  an  ever-increasing 
trade,  and  we  want  you  to  let  us  have  a  little  of  your  surplus, 
which  will  be  very  much  appreciated.  As  long  as  our  market 
is  24C.  and  over  in  price,  we  will  guarantee  you  a  ^c.  above 
our  top  market  quotations  if  butter  is  fine,  and  a-s  you  are  a 
member  of  the  Elgin  Board,  we  take  it  for  granted  you  know. 

Our  market  felt  a  trifle  giddy  and  weak  at  the  close 
Saturday,  but  light  receipts  to-day  caused  a  much  firmer  tone, 
and  it  is  a  firm  one  at  the  close  with  a  good  steady  market  for 
the  week. 

See  enclosed  Price  Current,  and  don't  forget  us,  for  if  you 
will  favor  us  you  will  not  regret  it,  and  we  will  personally  look 
after  weights,  etc.,  also  promise  you  prompt  returns.  Let  us 
hear  from  you  soon  and  often. 

Respectfully  yours,  (l83) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  105 

Messrs.  ROBINSON  &  CARR, 
Alpine,  Mich. 

Gentlemen :  Receipts  of  eggs  this  week  are  simply 
enormous,  being  about  75,000  cases  for  three  days.  We 
know,  of  course,  that  the  bulk  of  the  receipts  coming  arc 
bought  eggs,  and  that  is  one  reason  of  the  market  holding  as 
it  has  owing  to  the  high  cost  of  the  eggs.  How  long  this 
buying  fever  will  last  we  cannot  tell.  It  certainly  is  beneficial 
to  producers.  To-day  the  tone  is  hardly  as  strong  as  yester- 
day, in  fact,  market  is  off  about  |c.  Consumptive  demand 
is  good,  and  if  speculation  continues,  we  hardly  think  there 
will  be  any  further  change.  We  still  advise  keeping  cost 
down  to  insure  profit,  and  if  you  will  favor  us  we  will  try  to 
make  one. 

See  enclosed  circular  and  ship  us  all  you  can,  and  if  you 
have  any  friends  shipping  put  in  a  good  word  for  us,  and  it 
will  be  appreciated  by, 

Yours  respectfully,  ( 1 5  7 ) 

Mr.  J.  W.  WEAR, 

Scandia,  Kans. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  letter  received.  We  have  adjoining  us 
"The  Merchants'  Refrigerating  Co.,"  the  finest  in  New  York 
City.  Their  charges  are  40  per  cent,  for  the  season  and 
interest  on  advances,  which  are  IDC.  freight  paid,  New  York. 
If  you  want  to  store  a  few  cars  we  will  carry  them  for  you. 
We  are  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  will  be  pleased  to  handle 
your  egg  shipments  whether  you  store  or  not.  See  enclosed 
circular  for  market,  and  let  us  hear  from  you  soon. 

Respectfully  yours,  (92) 

Printing  Material  Correspondence. 

Mr.  T.  F.  TRAVER, 

Salem,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  favor  of  the  1 5th  at  hand,  containing 
express  order  for  $5.  You  did  not  state  what  kind  of  quoin 
you  wanted  ;  but  as  you  state  you  want  two  dozen,  and  the 
Hempel  quoin  is  $2.50  per  dozen,  we  have  sent  you  by 
express,  prepaid,  two  dozen  of  that  style  of  quoin.  You  did 
not  say  whether  or  not  you  wanted  a  key,  so  we  did  not  send 
one.  If  you  do,  drop  us  a  postal  card  to  that  effect,  and  we 
will  send  you  one,  for  which  we  will  make  no  charge. 

Yours  truly,  (103) 


106  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  B.  B.  WELLS, 

Stapleton,  S.  I.,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  of  the  3d  inst.  to  hand.  The  Reliance 
paper  cutter  is  the  best  moderate  priced  cutter  on  the  market. 
It  is  fitted  for  hand  or  steam,  is  solidly  built,  the  frame  being 
firmly  stayed  by  two  substantial  cross-braces,  upon  which  is 
bolted  the  arch  that  supports  the  center  of  the  bed,  making  it 
perfectly  rigid  and  firm  under  pressure  of  clamp  or  knife. 

It  is  also  fitted  with  the  interlocking  back  gauge  and  clamp, 
by  which  paper  may  be  cut  to  within  an  inch  of  the  knife,  and 
has  brass  figured  rules  in  bed,  back  and  front.  The  throw-off 
is  automatic,  and  stops  the  knife  instantly,  allowing  it  to  be 
thrown  off  at  any  point,  thus  obviating  possible  waste  ot 
paper  through  error. 

The  knife  has  dip-cut,  and  the  slideways  in  which  the  knife 
bar  moves  is  faced  with  steel  gibs  secured  and  adjusted  by 
means  of  three  set-screws  on  each  side,  so  that  any  wear  in 
the  slideways  may  be  taken  up  quite  easily. 

This  is  a  very  convenient  style  of  cutter,  as  it  will  be  found 
to  be  an  effective  and  easily  operated  hand-power  cutter,  at 
times  when  other  power  is  not  available. 

Yours  truly,  (211) 

Mr.  J.  R.  LAIRD, 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  requesting  us  to  send  you  price  list, 
and  illustrations  of  our  different  styles  of  iron  chases,  has  our 
attention.  We  enclose  herewith  the  only  circular  we  have 
with  reference  to  chases,  but  if  you  will  look  over  our  com- 
plete catalogue,  which  we  sent  you  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year,  you  will  find  an  illustration  and  description  of  every 
chase  we  make.  If,  however,  you  want  a  special  size,  we  can 
make  it  to  order  for  you,  on  short  notice. 

Very  truly  yours,  (94) 

Mr.  B.  J.  BURNS, 

678  Broadway,  N.  Y.  City. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  to  hand,  with  the  postal  order  for  $8. 
We  have  sent  the  galley  cabinet  by  American  Express  to-day, 
carefully  burlaped,  so  that  it  will  reach  you  in  perfect  condi- 
tion. All  the  galleys  that  we  manufacture  will  fit  this  rack, 
so  that  you  may  order  indiscriminately. 

Yours  truly,  (59) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  1O7 

Messrs.  JAMES  I.  NICHOLLS  &  Co., 

Providence,  R.  I. 

Gentlemen  :  We  enclose  our  sample  book,  showing  full  line  of 
the  banker's  bond  we  carry  in  stock.     We  have  not  advanced 
the  price,  though  other  writings  have  advanced  one  and  one- 
half  to  two  cents,  per  Ib.     This  quality  is  without  doubt  the 
cheapest  bond  of  the  quality  in  America  at  the  price  we  ask. 
White,       12     cts.  per  Ib. 
Colored,    12^     „        „ 
Less  than  a  ream,  i  cent,  per  Ib.  extra. 

Banker's  bond  is  our  exclusive  brand  here.  The  paper  is 
regular  and  uniform.  We  want  your  trade  and  hope  to  hear 
from  you. 

Yours  truly,  (  1 05 ) 

Publishing"  Correspondence. 

Messrs.  ENTZ  &:  Co., 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  We  beg  to  call  your  attention  to  our  recent 
publication,  "  Plain  Logic,"  by  Thomas  E.  Howe,  of  the 
St.  Louis  bar.  The  enclosed  circulars  will  give  you  the 
opinions  of  the  press,  and  particulars  regarding  this  remark- 
able publication.  It  has  created  unusual  enthusiasm  and 
much  interest  in  most  all  scholars  and  those  interested  in  the 
subject  of  logic. 

Our  discount  on  small  quantities  is  30  per  cent,  or  $3.50  per 
volume.  Our  discount  on  orders  for  twelve  or  more  copies  at 
a  time  is  50  per  cent,  or  $2.50  net.  We  allow  a  further  dis- 
count of  10  per  cent,  for  cash  in  10  days  ;  6  per  cent,  for  cash 
in  30  days,  and  3  per  cent,  for  cash  in  60  days.  Bills  good  on 
90  days'  time. 

We  can  furnish  you  circular  matter  like  the  enclosed,  with 
your  name  and  address  in  place  of  our  own  free,  in  such 
quantities  as  you  will  use  in  creating  demand. 

If  you  will  send  us  your  order  for  at  least  twelve  copies,  we 
will,  in  order  to  immediately  create  interest  in  the  publication 
there,  place  copies  of  this  book  with  the  press  for  review, 
which  invariably  results  in  an  immediate  demand  from 
thinkers  and  scholars.  We  invite  correspondence  regarding 
"  Plain  Logic." 

Trusting  to  be  favored  with  your  order,  we  remain, 

Respectfully  yours,  (22c) 


108  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOR. 

Mr.  BOYD  LEWIS, 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir :  Dr.  Lusk  desires  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  favor  of  the  gth  inst.  He  regrets  that  owing  to 
changes  in  the  department  management  of  this  concern,  the 
copies  of  the  "  Students'  Home  Dictionary,"  promised  by  us 
some  time  ago  to  those  who  were  kind  enough  to  favor  us 
with  their  views  on  the  preliminary  pages,  were  not  sent  out. 

Your  name  appears  on  the  records  as  one  entitled  to  a  copy 
of  the  book,  and  this  shall  be  forwarded  to  you  within  the 
next  few  days. 

Dr.  Lusk  wishes  me  also  to  invite  your  views  on  the  present 
"  Spelling  Reform  Movement,"  which  we  have  adopted  in  our 
publications.  Within  the  next  few  days  we  purpose  to  send 
out  a  circular  letter  to  all  the  supporters  of  this  movement 
with  a  view  to  getting  all  the  aid  we  can  from  those  who  are 
in  favor  of  it.  If  you  care  to  send  us  anything  on  this  subject 
for  publication,  we  shall  be  glad  to  make  use  of  it. 

Very  truly  yours,  (179) 

Messrs.  THOMAS  &  BATLEY, 

1123  Broadway,  City. 

Gentlemen  :  To  facilitate  our  increasing  business,  as  well  as 
to  accommodate  our  customers,  we  have  placed  a  telephone  at 
our  New  York  office,  room  No.  82  Boyd  Building,  to  be  known 
as  Cortlandt  415. 

We  are  better  prepared  than  ever  to  meet  the  wants  of  the 
trade  in  every  line  of  paper.  We  ship  goods  direct  from  the 
mill  to  the  consumer.  When  in  want  of  paper  kindly  call  us 
up  on  the  telephone,  or  send  word  to  this  office,  and  get  our 
prices  before  placing  your  order.  Will  be  pleased  to  call  on 
you  at  any  time. 

Publishers  will  find  it  to  their  advantage  to  get  our  samples 
and  figures  before  placing  their  yearly  contracts. 

Please  remember  that  we  make  a  specialty  of  specialties. 
If  you  want  something  new,  or  something  outside  of  the 
regular  line  of  paper,  we  will  be  able  to  furnish  you  the  same 
at  bottom  prices. 

Thanking  our  customers  for  past  favors,  and  thanking  them 
and  pur  new  customers  in  advance  for  future  orders,  we 
remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (179) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  ICO 

Mr.  W.  L.  JAMISON, 

Erie,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir:  In  response  to  your  inquiry,  we  take  pleasure  in 
mailing  you  herewith  specimen  pages  and  description  of  the 
"  Library  of  United  States  Literature." 

If  you  will  favor  us  with  your  order,  and  with  references, 
we  will  be  pleased  to  extend  to  you  a  year's  credit,  delivering 
the  entire  set  to  you  express  charges  prepaid,  and  accepting 
payment  at  the  rate  of  the  price  of  one  volume  each  and  every 
month  thereafter  until  the  whole  set  is  paid  for. 

If,  however,  you  prefer  to  pay  cash  on  delivery,  we  will 
accept  payment  for  only  10  volumes,  and  present  volume  i  r 
to  you  free. 

We  enclose  order  blanks  either  for  cash  or  monthly  pay- 

ments, and  if  you  will  kindly  sign  and  return  your  order,  the 

books  will  be  sent  to  you  by  return  express,  charges  prepaid. 

Yours  very  truly, 


Mr.  ALBERT  JAMES, 
Fresno,  Cal. 

Dear  Sir  :  Your  attention  is  requested  to  the  general  scope 
of  this  business,  as  set  forth  in  the  enclosed  circular. 

The  retail  department,  which  continually  carries  a  stock  of 
antique  literary  material,  never  averaging  less  than  $100,000 
in  value,  is  second  to  none  in  this  country. 

The  facilities  for  supplying  anything  of  a  literary  nature, 
whether  books,  prints,  or  autograph  letters,  new  or  old,  fine, 
rare,  or  curious,  cannot  be  surpassed. 

Any  services  appertaining  to  books,  their  cataloguing, 
arrangement,  appraisal,  disposal,  etc.,  can  be  rendered  in  a 
fully  satisfactory  manner. 

Artistic  binding  is  made  a  specialty. 

We  buy  collections  and  single  items  for  cash  ;  offers  are 
invited.  Importing  done  to  order.  Current  publications 
supplied  at  discount  rates. 

Soliciting  the  favor  of  your  orders, 

Yours  truly, 

P.S.  —  Subscribers  to  the  Library  of  U.  S.  Literature  will  be 
interested  to  learn  that  we  can  supply  any  or  all  of  the  books 
from  which  extracts  are  made  in  that  grand  work.  Prices 
quoted  on  application.  (166) 


IIO  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  GEO.  B.  BRONSON, 

Tarry  town,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  The  above  committee  of  the  Company  "  D  ' 
Severe-First  regiment  have  recently  published  the  story  of 
the  regiment's  participation  in  the  Spanish-American  war,  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  funds  from  its  sale  to  erect  a  suitable 
decoration  to  those  of  their  comrades  who  lost  their  lives  in 
the  discharge  of  their  self-imposed  duty ;  and,  believing  that 
you  would  be  sufficiently  in  sympathy  with  this  movement  to 
contribute  in  a  small  way  to  the  consummation  of  such  an 
object,  and  take  interest  in  looking  the  work  over,  we  have 
sent  you,  subject  to  your  acceptance,  one  of  the  copies  of  a 
limited  de  luxe  edition. 

We  trust  that  you  will  find  every  evidence  of  our  having 
exerted  care  and  sincerity  in  preparing  the  volume  for  our 
friends,  and,  as  the  proceeds  apply  directly  to  the  cause  we 
are  pleading,  we  hope  it  will  please  you  to  possess  a  copy. 

We  beg  to  enclose  a  memorandum  of  cost,  and,  in  the  event 
of  your  not  wishing  to  retain  the  copy,  we  will  call  for  it  upon 
receipt  of  word  from  you  to  that  effect. 

Awaiting  your  pleasure  in  the  matter,  we  beg  to  remain, 

Yours  respectfully,  (20 T 

THE  WILSON  BOOK  Co., 

Seattle,  Wash. 

Gentlemen :  According  to  your  request,  we  are  sending  you 
our  catalogue  of  art  calendars  for  1900,  by  express,  prepaid, 
with  the  understanding  that  it  shall  be  "returned,  prepaid, 
within  five  days.  If  you  can  conveniently  finish  with  it 
sooner  we  shall  greatly  appreciate  its  earlier  return,  as  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  meet  the  demand  for  the  book.  The 
amount  of  return  charges  paid  will  be  credited  upon  an  order 
of  $5.00  or  more.  We  have  tried  to  make  the  catalogue  very 
convenient,  and  ordering  easy ;  there  are  no  discounts  to  figure 
—the  prices  quoted  are  net,  and  without  exception  absolutely 
the  same  to  all.  Every  style  of  calendar  is  illustrated  in  full  size ; 
page  34  contains  directions  for  ordering,  and  on  page  22  we 
try  to  tell  what  can  be  justly  claimed  for  calendar  advertising. 

There  was  a  time  when  most  any  sort  of  a  picture  on  a 
calendar  would  insure  its  preservation,  but  the  public  has 
grown  more  discriminating,  and  the  calendars  that  are  now 
preserved  must  be  worth  keeping;  they  must  have  merit  and 
they  must  have  character.  We  call  especial  attention  to  the 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  i  ]  ; 

character  and  artistic  excellence  of  the  copy righ led  subjects 
we  offer  exclusively ;  we  think  they  have  never  before  been 
equaled  in  a  line  of  advertising  calendars.  Calendar  making 
is  our  business ;  for  years  we  have  been  devoted  to  it  more 
exclusively  and  more  extensively  than  any  other  concern  in 
the  country,  but  since  our  removal  from  Red  Oak,  Iowa,  we 
have  more  than  doubled  our  facilities,  and  with  the  superior 
advantages  afforded  in  New  York,  are  enabled  to  give  better 
service  than  ever  before. 

Hoping  to  be  favored  with  your  order,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (28 ' ; 

THE  FRED  JANES  Co., 

Toledo,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  Your  favor  of  the  i;th  enclosing  $2.25  received, 
which  we  herewith  return  together  with  $1.12,  the  amount  you 
had  to  pay  on  the  book  forwarded  on  the  i5th. 

The  bill  for  April  2d  was  paid  on  the  loth  by  you,  and  we 
cannot  understand  why  it  was  not  receipted;  the  bill  for  April 
1 5th,  which  was  enclosed  in  the  book,  was  paid  in  advance,  so 
that  you  do  not  owe  us  anything,  hence  our  reason  for 
returning  it. 

We  regret  the  trouble  you  have  had  in  this  matter,  also  that 
you  were  compelled  to  pay  due  postage  on  the  book,  but  our 
shipping  clerk  thought  it  would  go  through  at  book  rates. 

Trusting  this  will  be  satisfactory,  we  are, 

Yours  truly,  (I27) 

Dr.  R.  S.  CRANE, 

Pitts  burg,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir :  Some  time  since  you  paid  twenty-five  cents  and 
received  the  Medical  Record  for  two  months  on  a  trial 
subscription,  and  we  regretted  that  your  experience  with  it 
during  the  period  that  you  received  it  did  not  warrant  you  in 
favoring  us  with  a  continuation  of  your  subscription  at  that 
time.  We  should  be  much  pleased  to  have  you  take  the 
matter  under  consideration  again,  with  a  view  of  placing 
your  subscription  to  begin  with  the  volume  July  i,  1899. 
If  you  will  send  your  order  now,  accompanied  with  $4.75, 
which  is  the  balance  of  the  subscription  price,  we  will  send 
the  Medical  Record  to  you  from  the  date  when  your  order  is 
received  until  July  i,  1900.  This  is  an  exceptionally  liberal 
offer,  which  we  trust  you  will  avail  yourself  of. 

Very  respectfully  yours,  ( 1 44) 


112  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

THE  NEW  EVA  PUBLISHING  Co., 

Owosso,  Mich. 

Gentlemen  :  In  answer  to  your  note  of  April  i2th,  enclosing 
an  inquiry  from  our  city  as  to  your  publications,  would  state 
that  we  try  to  keep  in  stock,  as  you  will  see  by  reports 
rendered  to  you  at  times,  the  principal  works  in  the  "  Rapid 
Series,"  and  every  one  in  the  store  knows  this,  so  there  would 
be  no  chance  for  anyone  coming  in  for  these  who  would  not 
receive  them.  Minor  books  have  very  little  sale,  such  as 
reading  books.  We  never  have  kept  these,  for  the  reason 
that  we  do  not  have  perhaps  more  than  one  call  for  them  in  a 
year,  and  for  that  reason  it  would  not  pay  us  to  do  so,  but  we 
are  always  willing  to  get  for  any  person  inquiring  anything 
in  your  line.  These  complaints  come  from  people  who  do 
not  go  to  the  large  houses,  but  to  the  small  stands,  and  they 
take  no  particular  pains  to  find  a  book  for  a  customer.  We 
have  always  appreciated  the  fact  that  you  have  handed  us  the 
letters  due  us,  and  we  have  always  written  to  the  parties 
making  the  complaint,  stating  if  we  did  not  have  the  book  in 
stock,  we  would  do  what  we  could  to  obtain  it  for  them. 

Yours  truly,  (2I7) 

Mr.  W.  C.  RUSSELL, 

Akron,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir :  As  we  wrote  you  a  few  days  ago,  we  have 
secured  the  first  impression  from  the  press  of  The  Interna- 
tional Library  of  Famous  Literature,  and  are  offering  them  to 
our  Century  subscribers  alone.  Already  the  larger  part  are 
taken,  including  all  in  cloth  binding.  What  are  left,  however, 
are  in  the  best  bindings,  and  are  therefore  among  the  earliest 
impressions. 

The  regular  prices  and  the  prices  to  our  Century  subscribers 
are  as  follows  : — 

Regular  price.        Price  to  our 

Century  subscribers. 

Half  Morocco,  per  volume     $4.50  $2.30 

Three-quarter  Levant,  per 

volume  . .  . .      6.00  3.05 

^  You  will  see  that  the  reduction  on  each  volume  is  within 
rive  cents  of  one-half.  The  monthly  terms  are  the  same  as 
on  The  Century  Dictionary  and  Cyclopedia  ;  but  to  those  who 
oossess  the  latter  work,  and  are  still  paying  for  it,  we  are 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  1  I  3 

willing  to  deliver  the  set  at  once,  payments  on  The  Interna- 
tional to  begin  thirty  days  after  the  last  payment  on  The 
Century.  No  present  payment  whatsoever  need  be  made,  but 
the  books  will  be  delivered  on  receipt  of  the  enclosed  blank 
duly  filled  in.  These  prices  and  terms,  together  with  the  con- 
tents of  the  volumes,  make  this  a  most  advantageous  bargain. 

The  International  Library  of  Famous  Literature  is  an 
epitome  of  the  world's  writings.  It  begins  with  the  works  of 
the  earliest  period  and  ends  with  the  successes  of  the  present 
year.  It  thus  covers  the  entire  range  of  all  that  is  finest  in 
the  literature  of  all  languages.  It  is  a  most  useful  addition  to 
the  Century  Dictionary  and  the  Cyclopedia  on  its  literary  side. 

Trusting  that  you  find  your  Century  Dictionary  and  C'3'clo- 
pedia  very  useful,  and  that,  should  you  secure  one  of  these 
sets,  youVill  find  it  equally  so,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (301) 

THE  EMPIRE  PUBLISHING  Co., 
Dunnville,  Mass. 

Gentlemen  :  I  will  be  pleased  to  give  you  estimates  for  com- 
position and  electrotyping  of  books,  weekly  and  monthly 
papers  and  magazines.  I  have  all  facilities  for  turning  out 
work  promptly,  in  the  very  best  style,  and  at  a  reasonable 
price.  The  pages  sent  under  separate  cover  show  some 
samples  of  my  type,  but  if  I  can  make  a  time  contract  with 
you  for  any  periodical,  I  will  furnish  any  face  of  type  desired, 
and  use  it  on  your  work  only.  Trusting  I  may  have  the 
pleasure  of  hearing  from  you  at  some  future  date,  I  am, 

Yours  very  truly,  (I04) 

Mr.  S.  H.  FULLER, 

Portland,  Me. 

Dear  Sir:  We  are  about  to  begin  the  revision  of  the 
"American  Educational  Catalogue,"  for  its  thirtieth  edition, 
and  beg  you  will  furnish  us,  for  that  purpose,  with  the 
following  material : — 

(1)  A  list  of  your  text-books  published  since  July  i,  1899, 
with  retail  and  wholesale  prices. 

(2)  A  separate  list  of  your  forthcoming  text-books,  which 
are  to  be  issued  during  the  school  season. 

(3)  Notification  of  changes  in  prices,  or  of  errors  in  prices 
or  titles  in  the  accompanying  Educational  Catalogue,  which 
please  go  over  carefully  for  your  own  publications.     Mark 
such  of  your  books  as  are  obsolete  or  out  of  print,  and  return 

8  D.  B. 


114          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

the  Catalogue  to  us  at  once.  If  you  have  nothing  to  report, 
neither  errors  nor  additions,  please  notify  us  promptly  by 
postal  card. 

Information  should  reach  us  at  the  earliest  possible  moment, 
preferably  by  May  2ist. 

In  this  Catalogue  only  prices  made  by  publishers  them- 
selves are  given — retail,  if  retail,  in  first  column  ;  "  net  " 
(wholesale),  if  "  net,"  in  second  column  ;  where  a  "  mailing  " 
percentage  is  specified  by  the  publisher,  the  "  mailing  price  " 
is  given  in  the  retail  column  marked  with  an  asterisk  (*),  in 
addition  to  the  wholesale  price.  Price  columns  are  left  blank 
where  the  publisher  fails  to  furnish  price.  We  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  (217) 

Mr.  JOHN  L.  HAMPTON, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir:  Relying,  as  we  do,  on  the  opinion  of  a  class  of 
readers  such  as  yourself,  we  beg  to  advise  you  that  we  have 
nearly  completed  a  concise  reference  work,  covering  branches 
of  literature  never  before  thoroughly  treated  in  practical  form. 
If  you  will  kindly  sign  and  mail  the  enclosed  card,  we  will 
send  you  without  expense  or  responsibility,  sample  pages,  full 
page  plates,  and  a  complete  resume,  showing  the  classification 
and  arrangement  of  the  work.  As  the  edition  is  limited,  and 
applications  for  the  above  information  are  already  very 
numerous,  we  trust  that  we  may  hear  from  you  promptly, 
thereby  allowing  us  to  submit  first  impressions  for  your 
inspection. 

Thanking  you  in  advance  for  the  courtesy  of  a  reply,  we 
beg  to  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (133) 

Railroad  Correspondence. 
Mr.  C.  P.  JOHNSON, 

Boston,  Mass.  , 

Dear  Sir  :  I  wish  you  would  please  ascertain  and  advise  me 
as  early  as  possible  as  to  the  rates  that  are  being  made  upon 
granite,  rough,  in  blocks,  in  carload  quantities,  from  Quincy 
quarries  and  Maine  quarries,  to  Chicago,  Louisville,  St.  Louis, 
and  Missouri  River  points  ;  also  the  rate  that  is  being  made 
on  granite  paving  blocks  from  Maine  quarries  to  the  same 
points.  Kindly  let  me  have  this  information  at  an  early  day. 

Yours  truly,  (82) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  115 

Mr.  Jos.  D.  SMITH, 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir::  Now  that  the  schedules  for  the  movement  of 
west-bound  Air  Line  freight  from  Jersey  City  are  in  full 
operation,  I  would  call  your  attention  particularly  to  the 
movement  of  Blue  Line  freight  south-bound.  Will  you  kindly 
give  this  matter  attention  and  see  that  no  delays  occur  to  this 
traffic,  either  from  blockade  or  any  other  cause  ?  Serious 
complaints  are  being  made  by  receivers  of  freight  in  the  South 
as  to  poor  time,  as  all  consignments,  both  via  Blue  Line  and 
the  Air  Line,  are  so  seriously  delayed,  and  I  have  written  to 
Mr.  Robinson  that  with  the  present  schedules  we  trust  we 
shall  get  compliments  instead  of  complaints  hereafter. 

Yours  truly,  ( 1 19) 

Mr.  J.  H.  PETERSON, 

General  Freight  Agent. 

Dear  Sir:  Returning  your  requisition  for  2,500  copies  of 
Form  F.  D.  69  approved  : — It  will  be  necessary  for  you  to 
advise  the  Auditor  and  Freight  Claim  Agent  of  the  name  of 
each  party  who  signs  this  guaranty,  with  the  date  when 
signed,  in  order  that  they  may  be  advised  in  settlement  of 
claims.  Please  see  that  this  is  done,  furnishing  them  each 
with  a  copy  of  the  blank,  so  that  they  can  see  the  character  of 
the  guaranty. 

Yours  truly,  (87) 

Mr.  J.  J.  HUTCHINSON, 

Gen.  Supt.,  Telegraph  Co.,  Denver,  Col. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  your  favor  of  the  3oth  inst.  in  reference 
to  No.  7  wire  on  our  line  between  St.  Louis  and  San  Jose.  I 
infer  from  the  last  paragraph  of  your  letter  that  this  wire  is 
in  good  condition.  I  hope  our  business  on  it  during  the 
coming  winter  will  verify  your  opinion  of  it.  Our  train 
business  on  the  Western  Division  requires  good  telegraphic 
facilities,  and  unless  we  have  them  our  business  must  suffer. 
Our  people  have  been  complaining  a  good  while  about  the 
condition  of  No.  7  wire,  and  an  impression  seems  to  prevail 
among  them  that  the  wire  is  old  and  nearly  worn  out,  and  I 
have  had  no  assurance  from  your  office,  except  the  inference 
from  your  letter  noted  above,  that  their  complaint  is  not  just. 
We  are  unwilling  to  enter  upon  our  winter  business  without 
satisfactory  telegraphic  facilities  on  our  Western  Division. 

Yours  truly,  (J59) 


Il6          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  N.  WARBURTON, 

General  Manager,  Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  would  call  your  attention  to  the  importance  of 
ample  facilities  for  the  prompt  movement  of  cabbage  ship- 
ments from  oft"  our  Western  Division.  The  whole  territor}*- 
has  been  canvassed,  and  I  think  we  will  get  not  less  than 
1,500  car  loads  of  cabbage  from  stations  on  our  Western 
Division  this  fall,  to  go  in  every  direction,  as  Mr.  Wells  has 
arranged  a  line  of  rates  to  reach  every  section  of  the  country 
to  which  cabbage  can  be  shipped.  I  trust,  therefore,  you  will 
see  that  ample  facilities  are  furnished  at  all  the  shipping 
points  for  convenient  handling  and  prompt  movement  of  this 
perishable  property. 

Yours  truly,  (i  15) 

Mr.  J.  A.  MUNSON, 

Superintendent,  Birmingham,  Ala. 

Dear  Sir :  I  beg  to  advise  that  the  Limited  will  have  an 
extra  sleeper  out  of  Chattanooga  on  the  22d.  This  will  make 
ten  cars  from  Birmingham  south,  including  the  Theatrical 
Company's  car,  provided  No.  6  catches  No.  2,  otherwise  there 
will  be  eleven  cars.  Please  arrange  to  run  two  sections  of 
No.  6  from  Birmingham  south,  letting  the  make  up  of  the  first 
section  be  two  postals,  two  baggage  cars  and  one  coach,  and 
the  second  section  consist  of  the  sleepers.  See  that  positive 
instructions  are  issued  and  observed  in  regard  to  keeping  them 
a  telegraph  station  apart. 

Yours  truly,  (J°9) 

Mr.  J.  M.  BEAMIS, 

Transportation  Supt.,  Portland,  Oregon. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  issued  instructions  to  all  superintendents, 
including  the  Cascade  Division,  that  coal  cars  or  high  side 
gondolas  must  not  be  used  for  any  shipments  except  coal, 
coke,  and  pig  iron.  In  other  words,  their  use  is  prohibited 
for  handling  lumber.  I  would  thank  you  to  locate  all  P.  and 
O.  coal  cars  and  high  side  gondolas  and  send  same  to  the 
Cascade  Division,  all  except  such  as  are  needed  for  handling 
our  coal  from  Seattle. 

Please  watch  the  matter  of  use  of  these  cars,  and  report  to 
me  every  instance  where  this  order  is  disregarded,  also  give 
the  matter  of  locating  and  forwarding  cars  to  the  Cascade 
Division  your  prompt  attention. 

Yours  truly,  (126) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  I  17 

Mr.  CHAS.  B.  HILL, 

General  Agent,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Dear  Sir  :  Please  advise  me  as  to  the  United  States  mail 
tiiat  goes  west  from  Louisville  on  trains  Nos.  i  and  3.  My 
understanding  is  that  the  postal  clerk  runs  only  on  No.  3, 
which  carries  mail  for  all  points  on  our  line,  and  that  No.  i 
carries  pouch  mail  only.  Am  I  right  in  this  ?  If  this  is  so,  it 
seems  to  me  that  the  interests  of  Louisville  are  not  properly 
served  in  the  mail  facilities  with  western  and  south-western 
Kentucky  along  our  line.  If  the  case  is  as  I  have  stated  it, 
would  it  not  be  well  to  take  this  matter  up  with  the  post' 
master  at  Louisville  and  see  if  he  cannot  get  through  mail 
from  Louisville  to  all  points  on  our  line  ? 

Yours  truly,  (133) 

Commodore  GEORGE  DAWSON, 

Navy  Yard,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  met  P.  H.  Moore,  president  of  the  line  reaching 
your  Navy  Yard,  in  New  York  last  Friday,  and  took  up  with 
him  the  question  of  his  repairing  his  spur  track  and  extending 
the  rails  to  the  Navy  Yard  gate.  He  gave  orders  to  have  it 
done,  and  instructed  Mr.  Powell  to  arrange  for  rights-of-way 
on  the  street  leading  to  the  Navy  Yard  gate,  and  I  trust  this 
matter  will  now  be  in  such  shape  that  we  will  be  able  to  put 
coal,  pig  iron,  etc.,  into  the  Navy  Yard  through  that  con- 
nection. 

Yours  truly,  (i°5) 

Mr.  HENRY  K.  ADAMS, 

Traffic  Manager,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Dear  Sir  :  Noting  the  enclosed  letter  from  Albert  A.  Jones, 
Atlanta,  I  have  retained  the  letter  in  order  to  have  the  ship- 
ment traced. 

In  this  connection,  I  would  say  that  there  is  now  no  delay 
in  any  of  this  traffic  on  our  lines.  The  new  schedules  are  in 
working  order,  and  the  reports  being  made  to  our  Superin- 
tendent of  Transportation  show  that  the  time,  while  not  as 
perfect  as  we  expect  to  have  it,  is  continually  improving,  and 
I  believe  that  the  effect  of  the  new  schedules  for  the  move- 
ment of  south-bound  freight  will  soon  be  felt  by  all  the 
receivers  of  freight  along  your  line.  Should  the  schedules 
not  be  satisfactory,  we  certainly  would  like  to  hear  from  your 
people. 

Yours  truly,  (132) 


Il8  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  H.  R.  CASELL, 

Superintendent,  Macon,  Ga. 

Dear  Sir  :  The  first  report  1  got  in  regard  to  the  movement 
of  the  cotton  special  from  Dawson  was  that  it  left  there  at 
7:35  last  night,  arrived  at  Macon  4:58  this  morning  and  left  at 
6:20,  and  it  passed  me  at  Millen  at  10:20.  Mr.  Walker 
telegraphed  me  that  it  arrived  at  Macon  at  5:20  and  left  at 
6:20.  If  his  figures  are  correct  there  was  an  hour  lost  ai 
Macon.  That,  it  seems  to  me,  was  entirely  unnecessary. 
They  certainly  should  have  inspected  the  train  and  cleaned 
the  fire  box  in  half-an-hour.  Then  I  cannot  understand  how 
they  consumed  four  hours  between  Macon  and  Millen,  a 
distance  of  75  miles,  with  no  passenger  trains  to  meet.  Please 
look  into  the  matter  carefully,  get  all  the  facts  in  the  case,  and 
let  me  have  them. 

As  I  telegraphed  you  yesterday  I  wanted  this  train  moved 
promptly,  and  I  am  satisfied  you  issued  instructions  to  that 
effect.  If  the  train  had  reached  Savannah  within  reasonable 
time  this  afternoon  the  cotton  could  have  been  transferred 
and  loaded  on  the  steamer  without  extra  work  to-night ; 
besides  the  slow  movement  of  the  cotton  will  probably  prevent 
us  from  getting  the  ship  off  to-morrow. 

Yours  truly,  (212) 

Mr.  W.  B.  FRY, 

Homestead,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  your  communication  of  the  26th  inst. 
enclosing  a  petition  from  the  citizens  of  your  town  to  have 
our  fast  limited  international  express  trains  stop  there  on 
signal.  Some  months  ago  a  committee  consisting  of  several 
gentlemen  from  your  town  came  to  see  us  about  this  question, 
and  we  endeavored  to  explain  the  situation  to  them,  and  had 
hoped  we  convinced  them  of  our  inability  to  grant  their 
request.  These  trains  run  between  New  York  City  and  the 
City  of  Mexico.  The  schedules  are  very  fast,  and"are  made 
by  the  representatives  of  all  the  lines  interested  between 
those  points.  The  requirements  of  the  service  exact  fast 
speed,  and  all  the  lines  have  entered  into  an  agreement  to 
limit  the  trains  to  a  certain  number  of  cars  in  order  to  attain 
a  high  rate  of  speed.  You,  therefore,  understand  that  we 
only  have  a  voice  in  the  arrangement  of  these  schedules,  and 
are  pledged  to  maintain  the  agreement  under  which  the  trains 
arc  operated. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  I  10 

We  find  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  maintain  the  speed  of 
these  trains  over  our  line.  It  is,  therefore,  necessary  that  we 
make  as  few  stops  as  possible,  in  order  that  we  may,  in  good 
faith,  carry  out  the  agreement  with  the  other  lines  interested 
in  this  movement.  We  have  had  similar  applications  from 
many  other  points,  and  should  we  agree  to  stop  them  at  one 
point,  the  result  would  be  to  abandon  them  as  fast  trains  and 
make  local  trains  of  them.  I  hope  you  will  feel  assured  of 
our  earnest  desire  to  help  your  citizens  in  every  reasonable 
way  We  think  a  great  deal  of  your  prosperous  town,  and 
are  always  willing  to  do  anything  within  our  power  to  add  to 
its  prosperity. 

Personally  I  should  be  glad  indeed  to  comply  with  the 
request  of  your  petitioners,  but  1  regret  to  say  that  it  is 
impossible  for  me  to  do  so  under  the  present  arrangement. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  (323) 

Mr.  E.  B.  BROWN, 

Gordonville,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir :  There  seems  to  have  been  no  preparation  made 
for  pass  tracks  at  Bogart  and  Silver  City.  These  points  need 
such  tracks  very  much,  and  I  think  your  original  programme 
included  them.  The  tracks  have  not  been  finished  at  Cheraw, 
Jonesboro,  or  Crewe.  Your  instructions  with  reference  to 
Bogart,  that  a  map  was  to  be  furnished  you,  so  that  you 
could  decide  what  was  needed,  were  not  received.  Owing  to 
the  interchange  of  cars  with  the  Allegheney  Valley  Road  we 
need  this  track  very  much  at  the  latter  point,  as  all  of  our 
through  freight  trains  put  off  and  take  on  cars  there.  Kindly 
consider  these  matters  at  your  earliest  convenience. 

Yours  truly,  (i  19) 

GKNI..  B.  G.  WIRT, 

St.  Joseph,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir :  Referring  to  schedules  for  the  fast  vegetable 
trains  for  the  coming  season,  would  say  that  at  the  Denver 
meeting  on  the  5th  inst.  it  was  decided  to  make  radical  changes 
in  the  movement  of  Train  No.  2  between  St.  Louis  and  New 
York  City.  The  speed  of  the  train  between  St.  Louis  and  New 
York  will  be  about  23  miles  per  hour,  not  including  arbitrages. 
The  purpose  of  this  fast  schedule  is  to  reach  a  one  day  earlier 
market  in  Eastern  cities  than  the  schedule  of  last  year. 
We  will  limit  the  train  to  25  cars  between  St.  Louis  and 
Indianopolis.  I  presume  you  will  also  have  to  limit  it  to  the 


120  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

same  number  of  cars  on  your  road.  Nothing  but  perishable 
freight  is  to  be  moved  on  this  train,  and  as  the  time  is  so  fast 
it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  deliver  the  train  to  us  on  the 
time  at  the  Junction,  in  order  that  its  schedule  time  may  be 
maintained  throughout  the  entire  run.  I  will  be  glad  if  you 
will  advise  me  how  you  will  run  this  train,  that  is,  "  daily,"  or 
"  daily,  except  Sunday." 

We  have  not  yet  perfected  all  arrangements  in  regard  to 
the  running  of  this  train.  Just  as  soon  as  we  have  gotten  up 
the  classification  and  other  instructions,  I  will  send  you  a  copy 
of  same. 

Yours  truly,  (229) 

Mr.  J.  J.  JUSTICE, 

Paterson,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  Referring  to  the  construction  of  the  new  plate- 
girder  bridge  over  Womble  Creek,  I  find  that  there  is  some 
misunderstanding  in  reference  to  the  signals  used  for  the 
protection  of  this  structure.  I  desire  you  to  protect  this 
bridge  in  the  following  manner :  Place  permanent  green 
signals,  by  night  and  day,  one-half  mile  on  each  side  of  the 
bridge;  when  the  bridge  is  not  safe  for  the  passage  of  trains, 
a  large  and  conspicuous  red  signal  must  be  placed  in  the 
center  of  the  track  on  each  side  of  the  bridge,  at  least,  three 
hundred  feet  from  the  bridge,  and  when  the  bridge  is  in  con- 
dition for  the  passage  of  trains,  these  red  signals  must  be 
removed.  You  will  please  bear  in  mind  that  the  red  signals 
must  be  placed  in  position  before  the  bridge  is  rendered 
unsafe  for  the  passage  of  trains.  Orders  have  been  issued  to 
all  trains  to  reduce  speed  to  six  miles  per  hour  while  crossing 
this  bridge.  The  watchman  must  see  that  the  signals  are 
properly  attended  to,  and  he  must  not  permit  the  bridge  to  be 
obstructed  until  after  the  signals  aie  placed  in  position. 

Yours  truly,  (200) 

Messrs.  BINGHAM  &  SON, 

St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Gentlemen :  We  have  received  a  report  from  our  agent  at 
Rouse's  Point  that  the  entire  upper  Lake  region  is  blockaded 
by  snow,  and  every  effort  is  being  made  to  forward  freight  to 
destination.  The  work  of  clearing  the  tracks  is  slow,  owing 
to  drifts  twenty  feet  deep  in  some  places  on  the  line.  We 
hope  that  your  package  will  reach  its  destination  by  Dec.  ist. 
Yours  respectfully,  (74) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION*.  \2\ 

Real  Estate  Correspondence. 

Mr.  JAMES  A.  PORTER, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  been  advised  of  your  call  and  request  tor 
information  in  connection  with  our  Apartment  Houses  at 
99th  Street  and  Boulevard,  and  8ist  Street  and  Columbus 
Avenue  We  are  preparing  a  pamphlet  descriptive  of  the 
Apartments,  which  will  \>z  completed  within  a  few  days,  when 
I  will  forward  you  a  copy  of  it,  together  with  a  statement  of 
rents. 

Yours  truly,  (70) 

Mr.  J.  J.  CAMERON, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Hiving  rented  the  seventh  floor  of  the  building 
at  the  above  address  on  favorable  terms,  we  are  willing  to 
sub-lease  a  portion  of  it,  1,000  to  2,000  feet,  on  terms  equally 
favorable.  Freight  and  passenger  electric  elevators,  plenty  of 
light  and  ventilation,  and  everything  clean  and  in  order.  The 
location  is  the  centre  of  the  publishing  interests. 

If  interested  we  should  be  glad  to  hear  from  you,  or  to  have 
you  call. 

Yours  very  truly,  (82) 

Mr.  ROBERT  J.  ANDREWS, 
New  York  City. 

Dear  Sir:  In  assuming  the  Agency  for  the  houses  262-264 
East  1 4th  Street,  we  beg  to  ask  for  your  co-operation  and  aid 
in  bringing  them  to  a  higher  standard.  Just  as  fast  as  we 
consistently  can,  we  expect  to  put  them  in  better  order,  and 
as  there  is  considerable  to  do,  we  ask  for  your  patient 
indulgence.  We  herewith  hand  you  a  set  of  Rules,  which, 
if  adhered  to  by  the  tenants,  will,  we  believe,  add  greatly  to 
their  comfort,  and  the  clenliness  of  the  premises  be  assured. 
Especially  do  we  wish  to  emphasize  the  clause  relating  to 
Fire  Escapes.  On  this  point  the  law  of  the  Board  of  Health 
is  rigid,  and  we  must  see  it  enforced.  They  cannot  be 
encumbered  with  anything  whatever.  The  throwing  of  any- 
thing from  the  windows  is  an  annoyance  to  other  tenants, 
beside  making  it  impossible  to  keep  the  areas  clean,  and  we 
must  insist  that  all  refuse  go  through  the  proper  channels. 

Believing  you  will  cordially  assist  us  in  our  efforts,  we  are, 
Yours  truly,  (178) 


122  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  J.  P.  BARNETT, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  If  you  are  now  looking  for  an  office,  in  the 
location  of  Fifth  Avenue,  Fourteenth  or  Twenty-third  Streets, 
we  would  be  pleased  to  help  you  decide  the  question,  and  offer 
you  several  places  for  consideration.  If  any  information  is 
desired  and  you  are  not  able  to  call,  please  drop  us  a  line 
and  our  representative  will  call  upon  you  with  prices  and 
particulars. 

We  have  some  particularly  fine  offices  and  studios  in  the 
"  Kenswight  Building,"  which,  we  think,  might  suit  you. 

Yours  truly,  (91) 

Mr.  L.  B.  LUTZ, 

Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  shall  not  be  visiting  your  city  this  season, 
therefore  I  write  in  regard  to  two  lots  I  wish  to  sell. 

They  are:  Lot  No.  1803,  Garfield  and  Central,  50  by  135 
feet ;  Lot  No.  1820,  Asbury  and  Central,  50  by  130  feet. 

To  realize  a  little  ready  money,  I  am  prepared  to  sacrifice 
Lot  No.  1803  for  $300.00,  and  Lot  No.  1820  for  $250.00  ;  or, 
the  two  for  $500.00.  Surely  at  these  prices  you  can  interest 
someone  of  your  townpeople,  or  visitors,  who  may  have  a  few 
dollars  at  liberty  to  invest,  for  it  certainly  will  not  be  long 
before  either  one  of  these  lots  should  bring  at  least  $500.00. 
I  have  in  my  possession  an  offer  made  a  few  3rears  ago,  of 
$500.00  for  one  of  these  lots. 

Trusting  you  can  see  your  way  to  make  some  special 
effort  on  my  behalf,  and  that  I  may  have  a  line  from  you,  I 
am  with  regards, 

Very  sincerely  yours,  (X77) 

Messrs.  ISAACS  &  Co  , 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sirs :  If  you  contemplate  changing  the  location  of 
your  business  by  or  before  May  ist,  1894,  we  should  be 
pleased  to  have  you  consider  the  building,  No.  76  Fourth 
Avenue.  There  is  no  better  location  in  the  city  for  your 
business,  as  you  are  doubtless  aware,  as  it  is  in  the  center  of 
the  retail  trade  section  of  New  York  City.  An  early  lease 
would  be  made  on  very  favorable  terms.  Possession  will  be 
given  by  May  ist,  1894,  or  earlier  if  desired.  Premises  will 
be  shown  at  any  time. 

Yours  respectfully,  (98) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  123 

Mr.  JAMES  E.  LOVITT, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  hand  you  herewith  plans  of  well  lighted  lofts 
and  stores  for  rent  in  the  Bancroft  Building,  Nos.  3,  5  and  - 
West  2Qth  Street,  between  Broadway  and  Fifth  Avenue, 
suitable  for  business  and  mercantile  purposes.  The  building- 
is  a  modern  fire-proof  ten-story  structure,  handsomely  fur- 
nished, and  is  now  ready  for  occupancy.  The  stores  and  the 
second  floors  can  be  used  together  or  separately,  and  are  to 
let.  Portions  of  the  seventh  and  sixth  floors  and  the  entire 
third  and  fifth  floors,  inclusive,  are  also  to  let.  The  remaining 
portions  of  the  building  have  already  been  rented. 

Rentals  include  heat,  Elevator — both  passenger  and  freight 
— and  Janitor's  service. 

For  inspection  of  floors  and  stores,  apply  to  Superintendent 
on  premises,  or  your  own  agent. 

On  request,  we  shall  be  happy  to  send  our  representative 
to  call  on  you  with  further  plans  or  information. 

Yours  respectfully,         ('57) 
Messrs.  ISAAC  PITMAN  &  SONS, 
New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  I  take  pleasure  in  introducing  to  you  herewith 
Messrs.  Stephen  H.  Tyng  Jr.  and  H.  Oakley  Hall,  composing 
the  firm  of  Stephen  H.  Tyng  Jr.  &  Co.,  who  have  been 
appointed  by  the  owners  of  the  Decker  Building  as  agents  of 
the  property  from  and  after  May  ist,  1900,  in  place  of  myself, 
the  present  agent.  It  is  the  intention  and  purpose  of  the 
owners  that  the  change,  which  has  been  necessary  by  con- 
ditions arising  from  the  settlement  of  the  estate  of  the  late 
Mr.  John  J.  Decker,  shall  be  a  change  in  name  only,  and  that 
the  property  shall  in  every  respect  be  conducted  on  the  same 
plan  and  according  to  the  same  high  standard  as  heretofore. 

The  owners  bespeak  for  the  firm,  which  is  well  and  favor- 
ably known  to  them,  your  kind  consideration,  and  beg  to 
assure  you  that  your  business  interests  and  comfort  will  be 
as  carefully  guarded  and  looked  after  in  the  future  as  they 
have  been  in  the  past. 

Thanking  you  for  many  favors  and  the  courtesies  shown 
me  personally  in  the  past,  and  hoping  that  you  may  for  many 
years  to  come  remain  tenants  of  the  Decker  Building,  to  your 
entire  satisfaction,  I  am, 

Very  truly  yours,  (2I4) 


124  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mrs.  BELLA  E.  FOSTER, 

New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Madam  :  Referring  to  your  favor  of  to-day,  we  beg  to 
submit  the  following  : — 
Nos.  14  to  1 6  West  6sth  St.,  8  and  Bath,  Steam  heat,  $30  to  $38 

„  317-319  West jSth  St.,  7  „  „  „  „  $45  to  $65 
No.  24  West  6oth  St.  7  „  „  „  „  $45  to  $6° 

„    318  West  59th  St.  7    »      „  »          „     $3°  to  $45 

We  have  a  number  of  others,  which,  if  you  will  please  call, 
we  shall  be  pleased  to  confer  with  you  about.  Awaiting  your 
early  reply,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (I02) 

Mr.  JAMES  B.  KEENE, 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  have  been  requested  to  write  to  you  with 
reference  to  an  unusual  proposition  regarding  some  extra- 
ordinarily cheap  suburban  house  lots  in  the  heart  of  Brooklyn, 
which,  we  are  informed,  would  interest  you  if  made  sufficiently 
attractive.  It  is  a  plan  by  which  we  feel  you  can  make  a 
good  deal  of  money  without  much  labor,  but  as  we  think  it 
better  to  talk  it  over,  our  Mr.  Goss  will  call  on  you  the 
latter  part  of  this  week  and  go  over  the  matter  with  you.  In 
case  you  should  not  be  home,  please  leave  wrord  with  some 
one  to  whom  he  can  deliver  the  message. 

Under  separate  cover  we  send  you  literature  descriptive  of 
the  property. 

Yours  truly,  (I27) 

Mr.  CHARLES  T.  SEAMAN, 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Please  send  us  your  estimate  to-morrow  after- 
noon or  Saturday  morning  for  the  lathing  and  plastering  of 
the  Waiting  Room  of  Car  Shed  foot  of  4oth  Street,  Brooklyn 
The  plastering  will  be  three  coat  work,  last  coat  to  be  stucco 
finish,  floated  up  with  cork  float.  There  will  be  a  simple 
cornice.  All  around  the  waiting  room  there  will  be  a  wainscot 
and  base  of  Reen's  cement.  The  wainscot  to  be  slate  color, 
the  base  to  be  black.  For  the  height  of  wainscot  and  size  of 
base,  see  the  architect,  Mr.  J.  Jennings.  Any  further  infor- 
mation you  may  require,  our  foreman  at  the  building  will  give 
you.  The  work  is  to  be  first  class  in  every  respect,  and  is  to 
be  commenced  first  of  next  week. 

Yours  truly,  (T34) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  I -\; 

Mr.  B.  ).  FERGUSON, 

*  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Yours- of  the  151!!  inst.  at  hand.     In  reply  will 
say  that  we  have  the  following  flats  to  rent  at  about  the  price 
named  by  you  :— 
No.  103  West  8oth  Street,  5  and  6  rooms  and  bath,  steam 

heated,  rents  $30  to  $36  : 
N.  E.  Corner  looth  Street  and  Boulevard,  6  rooms  and  bath, 

$35  to  $45,  steam  heat : 
N.  W.  Corner  nyth  Street  and  St.  Nicholas  Avenue,  7  rooms 

and  bath,  rents  $33,  top  flat,  steam  heat. 
Trusting  to  hear  from  you  again,  we  remain, 

Yours  respectfully,  (96) 

Messrs.  PETFR  FARNELL  &  SON, 

Brick  Church,  N.  J. 

Gentlemen  :  Kindly  go  to  the  corner  of  Elm  and  Fulton 
Street,  and  give  me  an  estimate  for  what  you  will  move  the 
present  building  now  there,  to  about  the  position  of  the  barn 
on  the  rear  of  the  lot  and  fronting  on  Fulton  Street.  Kindly 
let  me  know  at  your  earliest  convenience.  How  much  less 
would  it  cost  if  it  should  go  on  the  side  of  the  present  barn 
nearest  Elm  Street  ?  If  you  are  in  New  York  a  day  or  two  I 
should  like  to  see  you  in  regard  to  it;  if  not,  write  me  at  once. 
My  office  hours  are  between  2  and  5  p.m. 

Yours  truly,  (IJ6) 

Mr.  C.  L.  TRAVER, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Quite  unexpectedly  the  real  estate  market  has 
developed  a  feature  of  strength  at  the  end  of  the  spring 
season  that  was  quite  absent  from  it  earlier  in  the  year.  This 
is  a  greatly  increased  interest  in  small  investment  properties. 
Last  week,  for  instance,  the  sensational  transactions  involving 
amounts  running  into  the  millions  were  entirely  lacking,  but 
there  were  scores  of  purchases  by  small  investors  in  nearly 
every  section  of  the  city  and  of  most  kind  of  real  property. 
Professional  real  estate  men — the  brokers,  operators  and 
builders — regard  this  development  with  the  greatest  satis- 
faction, for  with  the  man  of  small  means  interested  in  the 
market  the  active  period  may  be  considered  prolonged. 

We  shall  be  pleased  to  have  you  call  in  regard  to  the  23d 
Street  property  you  were  recently  talking  to  us  about. 

Yours  very  truly,  (145) 


126          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  GRAIN  &  Co., 

N.  Y.  City,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  We  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  our  building 
Nos.  7  &  9  West  32d  Street,  where  we  have  to  lease  a  par- 
ticularly bright  store  and  basement,  50  feet  wide  and  about  QO 
feet  deep. 

This  building  is  in  a  section  which,  it  has  occurred  to  us, 
should  be  of  special  interest  to  your  line  of  business.  In 
addition  to  the  store  and  basement,  we  have  eight  lofts  to 
lease,  the  rents  ranging  from  $2,500.  to  $3,500.  The  building 
is  supplied  with  an  electric  passenger  elevator  and  an  electric 
freight  elevator,  separate  entrances  being  provided  for  each. 
The  building  is  now  about  ready  for  occupancy,  and  we  are 
anxious  to  secure  some  desirable  tenants  for  it.  If  you  are 
expecting  to  change  your  quarters  in  the  near  future,  we 
should  be  very  glad  to  have  an  opportunity  to  accommodate 
you  in  this  building,  and  will  consider  it  a  favor  if  you  will 
send  us  a  line  advising  us  of  a  time  when  we  may  call  upon 
you  and  have  a  few  minutes'  conversation  on  this  subject,  if 
the  matter  is  of  interest  to  you. 

Yours  very  truly,  (196) 

Mr.  R.  W.  BATES, 

Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Mrs.  T.  W.  Gomersal  informed  me  \-esterday 
that  she  has  heard  from  you  in  regard  to  the  West  End 
apartment.  She  says  that  in  your  letter  you  mention  you  are 
willing  to  hold  an  apartment  for  her,  but  you  do  not  say  that 
it  is  the  seventh  floor  one  with  nine  rooms.  In  speaking  to 
me  in  regard  to  this  matter,  Mrs.  Gomersal  has  always  been 
precise  in  saying  that  it  was  the  top  floor  one  she  wanted,  and 
the  writer,  in  mentioning  it  to  yor,  has  always  been  careful 
to  specify  this.  As  this  somewhat  reflects  on  me,  I  hope  you 
will  put  her  mind  at  ease  without  delay  in  regard  to  this 
matter.  Under  no  consideration  would  she  take  any  other 
floor  than  the  seventh  or  top. 

You  will  remember  that  you  agreed  to  allow  me  2^  per 
cent,  commission  on  Mr.  J.  H.  Fleming  signing  a  lease  for  the 
apartment  at  1,000  East  i2gth  Street,  at  $1,600.00  per  year  for 
two  years,  and  that  said  commission  would  be  $80.00.  Now 
that  the  lease  has  been  duly  signed,  I  hope  to  hear  from  you 
at  an  early  date  in  regard  to  same.  I  am,  dear  Sir, 

Yours  very  truly,  (21°) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  127 

Mr.  E.  D.  WHITMAN,  ^ 
Louisville,  Ky. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  just  completed  the  sale  of  your  house  and 
lot  at  No.  213  James  Street  to  Mr.  H.  J.  Lord,  of  this  place. 
The  consideration  being  $7,954.  In  payment  lie  assumes  the 
mortgage  of  $2,675.00  and  interest  accrued  $54.00  ;  gives  you  a 
second  mortgage  on  the  property  for  $4,000  ;  his  note,  endorsed 
by  Robert  J.  Fox,  for  $750.00,  and  the  balance  $475.00  in  cash. 

Trusting  you  will  find  the  above  entirely  satisfactory, 

Yours  very  truly,  (90) 

Mr.  JONAS  BEACH, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  Acknowledging  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  i8th 
inst.  inclosing  check  for  $40.00,  I  would  call  your  attention  to 
an  error  in  this  amount.  Upon  reference  to  the  lease  of 
Mrs.  Jones'  apartment  at  214  East  End  Avenue,  you  will  see 
that  it  was  taken  for  two  years,  therefore  the  commission 
would  be  $80.00.  You  will  remember  that  this  is  the  amount 
agreed  upon  at. your  office  at  16  East  12 9th  Street,  at  which 
time  I  took  a  memorandum  in  writing,  and  which  I  have  now 
in  my  possession.  Under  the  circumstances,  I  shall  be  pleased 
to  receive  the  balance,  viz  :  $40.00.  Upon  receipt  of  this  I 
shall  be  pleased  to  send  you  a  receipt  in  full.  With  best 
wishes,  I  am, 

Very  truly  yours,  (J35) 

Recommendations. 

Mr.  JAMES  T.  POWERS, 

Rome,  N.  Y. 

My  dear  Sir :  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  recom- 
mending to  me  and  assisting  me  in  securing  the  services  of 
Mr.  Murphy.  His  position  with  the  Mound  City  Distiling 
Co.,  of  which  I  am  Secretary,  is  by  no  means  an  easy  one, 
requiring  especially  accurate  and  rapid  figuring.  He  will  be 
our  invoicing  and  government  clerk.  The  young  gentleman 
has  started  so  well,  and  shown  such  marked  aptitude  already, 
that  I  have  no  doubt  whatever  but  that  he  will  soon  have  the 
work  well  in  hand,  and  give  us  entire  satisfaction. 

Fraternallv  yours,  (I02) 


128  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  ROBERT  H.  HASKINS, 
Omaha,  Neb. 

Dear  Sir  :  A  little  over  a  year  ago  I  stepped  into  your  offices 
for  the  purpose  of  investigating  the  merits  of  the  school,  with 
a  view  to  taking  a  course  in  stenography.  I  was  so  favorably 
impressed  with  the  manner  in  which  I  was  received,  and  the 
frankness  with  which  I  was  told  what  could  be  accomplished, 
by  application,  in  the  limited  time  at  my  disposal,  that  I 
immediately  made  arrangements  for  a  three  months'  course, 
and  consider  it  one  of  the  most  fortunate  acts  of  my  life. 

What  I  accomplished  in  the  next  eleven  weeks  far  exceeded 
my  greatest  expectations,  and,  I  feel  free  to  say,  those  of  my 
teachers.  I  finished  the  prescribed  course  of  studies,  and  on 
March  28,  with  over  two  weeks  to  my  credit  on  the  school 
rolls,  I  accepted  a  position  with  one  of  the  largest  manu- 
facturing concerns  in  St.  Louis,  and,  thanks  to  your  influence 
and  excellent  facilities  for  securing  positions  for  your  gradu- 
ates, had  three  other  equally  good  positions  to  choose  from. 
Six  months  later  I  was  tendered  a  position  in  the  War 
Department  as  secretary  to  the  Director  of  the  Census  of 
Cuba  and  Porto  Rico,  which  I  am  now  holding. 

Yours  truly,  (206) 

Mr.  GEORGE  MAHAN, 

Milford,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  return  for  the  many  kindnesses  and  attention 
bestowed  upon  me  while  a  pupil  in  your  college,  it  is  with 
pleasure  that  I  respectfully  submit  this  testimonial  of  your 
methods  of  instruction.  Since  graduating  in  this  department 
I  have  held  several  positions,  giving  satisfaction  in  each, 
which  result  I  attribute  to  the  thorough,  practical  training 
received  at  the  hands  of  your  most  efficient  and  obliging 
instructors. 

In  September  of  1899  I  commenced  studying  in  your 
Commercial  Department,  and  from  the  knowledge  acquired  in 
one  term  I  have  been  enabled  to  fill  the  position  of  book- 
keeper and  stenographer  for  the  Willimanic  Linen  Company. 
It  is  due  to  state  that  I  secured  this  desirable  position  through 
your  influence.  I  am  pleased  to  give  your  institution  my 
unqualified  indorsement. 

Very  respectfully,  (i4r) 


BUSINESS  DICTATION.  129 

Messrs.  JONES  &  PERKINS, 

Jonesville,  Mo. 

Gentlemen  :  Miss  Nellie  Fulton,  a  graduate  of  your  College, 
has  occupied  the  double  position  of  book-keeper  and  stenogra- 
pher in  our  office  since  April  i,  1899.  It  gives  us  much 
pleasure  to  state  that  she  has  filled  this  position  satisfactorily 
to  us,  and  with  credit  to  herself,  showing  a  proficiency  in  her 
work  which  is  evidently  the  result  of  careful  commercial 
training  and  thorough  business  instruction  received  at  your 
College 

Yours  truly,  (77) 

Messrs.  W.  R.  JAYNES  &  Co., 

Springfield,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  your  favor  of  the  T2th  inst.  respecting 
Mr.  Jacob  Boss.  We  beg  to  say  that  Mr.  Boss  was  in  our 
employ  six  years,  and  it  affords  us  much  pleasure  to  say  that 
during  this  time,  his  conduct  was  such  as  to  gain  for  him  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
By  his  strict  attention  to  ever}'  duty,  and  by  his  integrity,  he 
won  our  very  highest  esteem  It  was,  we  regret  to  sa}r,  on 
account  of  his  failing  health  that  he  was  compelled  to  resign 
his  position. 

Yours  very  truly,  fI06) 

Mr.  HENRY  COOPER, 

Hannibal,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir:  In  response  to  yours  of  the  loth  inst.  making 
inquiries  respecting  Mr.  J.  H.  Cooper,  I  would  say  that  he 
was  in  my  employ  nearly  ten  years.  During  the  first  two 
years  as  corresponding  clerk,  the  remaining  years  he  was 
general  manager  and  purchasing  agent.  Our  business 
relations  terminated  last  January  on  account  of  the  sale  of 
my  entire  establishment,  and  my  retiring  from  business.  I 
regard  Mr.  Cooper  as  a  very  trustworthy  and- capable  business 
man,  and  possessed  of  excellent  qualities.  During  my  ac- 
quaintance his  social  standing  has  been  enviable. 

Yours  respectfully,  (i°°) 


130          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Sewing  Machines. 
Mr.  M.  J.  KENDALL, 

Danville,  Va. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  want  to  remind  you  that  the  Spring  trade 
will  soon  begin,  and  already  has  at  some  points,  so  it  will  be 
well  to  place  your  orders  at  once  to  be  sure  of  receiving 
machines  in  time.  We  fully  expect  a  good  Spring  trade,  and 
have  arranged  a  large  stock  of  our  various  makes,  so  that  we 
can  fill  orders  promptly.  Owing  to  the  advance  of  iron, 
lumber  and  labor,  the  cost  of  machines  has  very  materially 
increased,  and  some  of  the  companies  have  already  advanced 
prices,  and  others  are  now  considering  doing  so.  As  yet  we 
have  made  no  advance,  and  orders  placed  at  once  will  be  at 
old  prices.  Later  on  we  may  be  obliged  to  advance.  We 
want  to  see  all  our  old  customers  sell  more  machines  this  year 
than  last,  and  we  believe  they  can,  if  they  push  the  "  House- 
hold," as  every  "  Household "  sold  makes  new  friends  who 
will  "  talk  it  up  for  you." 

We  also  want  new  customers  where  we  are  not  represented, 
so  we  hope  you  will  refer  your  friends  in  the  trade  to  us.  If 
we  once  sell  them  we  think  we  can  keep  them,  as  it  has  been 
our  experience  in  the  trade,  that  '  once  a  "  Household  "  man, 
always  a  "  Household  "  man.' 

For  a  high  grade  low  priced  machine  we  still  make  the 
"  Marguerite,"  and  believe  it  the  best  machine  for  the  money 
in  the  market. 

With  best  wishes  for  your  success  during  the  present  year, 
we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (258) 

Mr.  WILLIAM  W.  GILBERT, 
Troy,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  have  your  favor  of  March  i2th,  and  mail  you 
herewith  under  separate  cover,  catalogues  of  the  various  styles 
of  machines  which  we  manufacture,  and  are  glad  to  quote  you 
our  prices  on  same  for  export,  as  per  enclosed  price  list. 

The  prices  are  subject  to  a  discount  of  five  (5)  per  cent,  for 
cash,  and  also  include  a  set  of  attachments  with  each  machine, 
packing  for  export,  and  delivering  on  board  vessel  here  in 
New  York. 

We  are  not  represented  in  your  country  and  could  give  you 
the  exclusive  agency  if  you  took  a  satisfactory  quantity  each 
year.  Our  terms  for  export,  however,  are  absolutely  cash 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  131 

apon   shipment    of    goods    here,    and   we    do    not    consign 
machines,  or  do  any  direct  foreign  business  in  any  way. 

While  we  appreciate  the  fact  that  our  prices  are  above  those 
of  some  of  the  cheap  German  machines,  we  think  that  the 
quality  of  the  American  machines  enables  a  dealer  to  get  a  much 
better  price  for  them.  Hoping  to  hear  from  you,  we  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (180) 

Messrs.  JAMES  &  Co., 

'Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Your  favor  of  the  3d  inst.  received.  We 
enclose  herewith  catalogues  and  prices  of  both  "  Household  " 
and  "Marguerite"  machines,  which  are  F.  O.  B.,  Pro- 
vidence, R.  I. 

Our  "  Marguerite "  is  a  very  high  grade  machine,  being 
practically  an  old  style  "  Household,"  but  not  quite  so  well 
finished,  still  we  believe  it  to  be  by  far  the  best  machine  on 
the  market  for  the  money.  The  "  Household  "  prices  could 
be  shaded  down  a  trifle  on  orders  of  six  machines  or  more. 

Should  you  decide  to  favor  us  with  an  order,  kindly  give  us 
some  references  as  to  your  responsibility,  or  on  the  first  order 
\rou  would  save  time  by  sending  cash,  deducting,  of  course, 
the  two  (2%)  per  cent,  cash  discount.  Hoping  to  hear  from 
you,  we  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (*37) 

Silks. 

THE  L.  P.  LIPPITT  Co., 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Gentlemen  :  We  would  call  your  particular  attention  to  the 
weighing  of  the  raw  silk  in  the  bale  before  it  is  opened.  See 
that  the  gross,  tare  and  net  amounts  agree  with  those  on  the  bill 
from  the  shippers,  and  if  there  is  any  difference  kindly  notify 
us  at  once  and  we  will  present  the  matter  for  adjustment. 

We  are  giving  your  requisition  for  dye-stuffs  our  immediate 
attention,  and  the  extracts  of  sumac  and  gall  will  be  shipped 
to-morrow. 

The  acids  and  anilines  will  go  to  you  to-day  by  express. 

The  market  for  raw  silk  is  still  quite  high,  and  we  trust  you 
will  be  quite  careful  in  your  use  of  Italian  and  China  silks. 
We  hope  for  a  slackening  in  a  few  days,  when  we  will  send 
you  a  stock  for  your  throwing  machinery. 

Yours  truly,  (143) 


132  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  JOHN  W.  BARNES  &  Co., 
Boston,  Mass. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  valued  favor  of  the 
2ist  inst.  enclosing  check  for  $234.67,  and  note  that  you 
deduct  $10.93  for  alleged  imperfections  in  the  silks  we  shipped 
you  recently. 

As  you  know,  these  goods  pass  through  severe  examinations 
at  the  mill  before  being  shipped  to  us,  and  it  is  hard  for  an 
imperfection  to  escape  the  examiner  without  being  detected. 
Furthermore,  these  goods  are  made  in  such  a  manner  that 
imperfections  in  them  are  of  rare  occurrence,  in  fact,  yours  is 
the  first  claim  we  have  received  on  it,  and  we  feel  that  your 
examiner  must  have  been  entirely  too  critical  in  his  examina- 
tion of  them.  Under  the  circumstances  unless  you  can  pro- 
duce sufficient  proof  of  their  imperfections,  we  regret  that  we 
shall  have  to  declare  your  claim  void.  We  are  always  willing 
to  treat  our  customers  fairly  when  claims  are  presented  to  us, 
and  assure  you  that  your  esteemed  house  will  be  no  exception 
to  our  rule. 

We  have  a  beautiful  line  of  silk  warp  fancies  and  Bedford 
cords  which  we  would  like  you  to  see  when  in  our  city,  or  we 
will  be  pleased  to  send  you  samples  for  your  inspection. 

Yours  truly,  (208) 

Messrs.  W.  GROGAN  &  Co., 
Chicago,  111. 

Gentlemen:  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  15111 
inst.,  and  note  contents.  We  are  somewhat  surprised  at 
your  statements  regarding  the  Crepe  de  Chenes,  which  we 
have  just  examined,  and  while  we  do  find  some  mis-weaves  in 
them,  there  are  not  enough  to  cause  any  serious  complaint. 
Mis-weaves  are  liable  to  occur  in  fabrics  of  which  silk  forms 
the  chief  part,  and  while  we  endeavor  to  prevent  this  as  much 
as  possible,  we  think  your  customer  was  entirely  too  critical, 
as  this  is  the  first  complaint  we  have  received. 

We  will  make  you  an  allowance  of  what  we  think  is  fair  if 
you  will  kindly  let  us  know  your  views  in  the  matter. 

When  will  you  be  in  the  market  for  Satin  Duchesse,  or 
colored  Peau  de  Soie  ?  We  have  some  very  beautiful  designs 
in  these  fabrics,  also  swivels,  and  other  fancies,  all  of  which 
we  can  recommend  to  you. 

Awaiting  your  valued  orders,  we  are, 

Yours  very  truly,  (J58) 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  133 

Messrs.  AKSORENA  &  Co., 

Springfield,  111. 

Gentlemen  :  Your  favor  of  June  23d  was  overlooked  by  us 
in  some  way,  and  we  have  just  discovered  that  it  has  never 
been  answered. 

We  would  say  in  reply  to  same  that  we  do  not  conduct  our 
business  in  this  way,  and  regret  we  cannot  accept  your 
cancellation,  as  the  order  given  for  the  silks  was  perfectly 
bona-fide,  and  the  goods  have  been  made  especially  for  you. 

Traveling,  expenses  and  the  hire  of  salesmen  are  too 
expensive  to  accept  cancellations  for  such  trivial  reasons  as 
you  state  when  we  have  lived  up  to  the  conditions  of  the 
order.  We  do  not  admit  the  right  of  any  buyer  doing- 
business  with  us  to  cancel  orders  at  his  own  pleasure.  We, 
therefore,  must  respectfully  insist  upon  your  acceptance  of 
these  goods  as  a  business  transaction. 

Yours  truly,  (140) 

Messrs.  J.  P.  WILD  &  Co., 

Omaha,  Neb. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  sending  you  by  this  mail  samples  of 
whites  and  creams  brocade  satins,  which  we  are  putting  on 
the  market  at  8oc.  per  yd.,  and  in  regard  to  these  goods  will 
say  that  no  better  can  be  found  for  the  money. 

The}'  represent  the  best  in  their  line,  and  we  feel  sure  they 
will  be  very  saleable  in  your  section  of  the  country.  We 
would  like  to  hear  from  you  as  soon  as  possible,  as  the  goods 
are  liable  to  be  closed  out  at  any  time,  there  being  quite  a 
demand  for  these  fabrics  at  this  time. 

We  would  suggest  that  you  wire  us,  at  our  expense,  on 
receipt  of  this,  your  wishes  in  this  matter.  We  are, 

Yours  respectfully,  (I3») 

Stereopticon  Correspondence. 

Mr.  J.  B.  THURSTON, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  esteemed  order  received.  We  sent  you  by 
express  to-day  set  of  75  plain  slides  on  Egypt  and  the  Hoi}' 
Land,  and  the  pair  of  one  half  size  Darlot  lenses  ordered  by 
you  last  week,  which  we  did  not  have  in  stock  at  the  time. 
We  have  packed  same  carefully,  and  trust  they  will  reach  you 
safely. 

Yours  truly,  (67) 


134  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  RILEY  &  Co., 

Newton,  Mass. 

Gentlemen:  Your  favor  of  the  nth  inst.  to  hand.  The 
cracking  of  one  of  the  condenser  lenses  was  undoubtedly 
caused  by  your  placing  the  jet  too  close  to  them,  and  turning 
it  up  too  quickly,  instead  of  allowing  them  to  warm  up  gradu- 
ally. It  certainly  was  not  on  account  of  any  imperfection  in 
the  glass,  and  we  do  not  see  our  way  clear  to  make  you  any 
allowance. 

Yours  truly,  (74) 

Mr.  J.  B.  FOSTER, 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  Yours  of  the  i8th  inst.  to  hand.  Acetyline  gas 
as  an  illuminant  for  projection  purposes  is  proving  a  great 
success,  and  we  can  furnish  you  with  a  complete  apparatus 
for  the  production  of  same  as  per  price  list  enclosed.  The 
light  produced  by  our  generator  and  quadruple  burner  is  very 
white  and  penetrating,  and  of  about  250  candle  power,  or 
about  half  that  of  lime  light,  and  more  than  twice  that  of 
petroleum.  Any  time  you  may  care  to  call,  we  shall  be 
pleased  to  show  you  the  apparatus  in  operation. 

Yours  truly,  (I0°) 

Mr.  JOHN  B.  WELDE, 

Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  your  favor  of  recent  date,  would  say 
that  we  can  recommend  our  "  New  Model "  Stereopticon  as 
being  equal  to  any  in  the  market.  It  combines  the  latest  and 
the  best  ideas  in  its  construction.  For  compactness  and 
lightness  in  weight,  ease  of  manipulation,  and  accuracy  of 
adjustment  it  is  unequalled.  It  is  handsomely  nickel-plated, 
and  every  detail  thoroughly  finished.  Each  lantern  has  a 
lateral  as  well  as  a  vertical  movement,  insuring  the  most 
perfect  registration  on  the  screen.  It  is  equipped  with  finest 
condensing  lenses  4^  inches  in  diameter,  improved  jets  with 
gear  for  raising,  lowering,  and  turning  limes,  |  and  ^  size 
Darlot  objectives  with  adapters,  and  high  pressure  dissolving 
key,  etc. 

We  send  you  by  separate  mail  our  catalogue,  in  which  you 
will  find  detailed  description,  page  7. 

Trusting  to  be  favored  with  an  order, 

Yours  truly,  (15°) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  135 

Mr.  S.  N.  FALDER, 

Lincoln,  Neb. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  i3th  inst.  has  our  attention. 
The  best  form  of  light  for  lantern  purposes  is  the  calcium  or 
lime  light.  All  you  will  have  to  do  to  fit  up  the  lantern  you 
now  have  for  that  form  of  radiant  is  to  procure  an  oxy- 
hydrogen  jet  which  we  make  to  fit  all  our  lanterns.  There 
are  a  number  of  firms  making  the  oxygen  and  hydrogen  gases 
in  your  city  and  which  they  will  furnish  you  compressed  in 
steel  cylinders.  The  gases  are  perfectly  safe  and  easy  to 
handle,  and  will  enlarge  the  slides  to  20  x  20  feet  on  the 
screen  with  great  brilliancy. 

Of  course  the  acetyline  gas  will  give  very  satisfactory 
results  up  to  a  12x12  picture,  in  fact  quite  equal  to  the  lime 
light,  but  that  is  practically  its  limit.  It  is  extremely  easy  to 
operate,  and,  leaving  out  the  cost  of  generator  and  jet,  will  not 
cost  for  running  expenses  any  more  than  the  three-wick  oil 
lamp  you  are  at  present  using. 

Very  truly  yours,  ( 1 78) 

Mr.  T.  B.  BROWNING, 

Passaic,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  take  pleasure  in  presenting  you  herewith  a 
copy  of  our  list  of  Economic  Lantern  Slides,  which,  owing  to 
our  increased  facilities  for  making  this  line  of  slides  in  large 
quantities,  we  are  enabled  to  offer,  with  few  exceptions,  at 
especially  low  prices,  as  follows:  Uncolored,  25  cents  each 
net ;  colored,  50  cents  each  net.  These  slides  are  of  the 
"  McAllister  "  quality,  and,  in  every  instance,  the  best  obtain- 
able of  the  subject. 

Trusting  to  be  favored  with  an  order,  which  will  receive  our 
prompt  and  careful  attention,  we  are, 

Yours  truly,  (99) 

Messrs.  J.  &  J.  ANDREWS, 

Fulton  Street,  New  York. 

Gentlemen  :  Your  favor  received  and  carefully  noted,  and 
will  say  in  reply  that  our  apparatus  is  giving  satisfactory 
results  for  twelve  feet  pictures.  In  regard  to  the  condensers, 
would  think  that  you  would  get  better  results  by  using  4^ 
inch  condensers.  We  do  not  handle  them  only  as  mounted  in 
our  lantern,  but  you  can  buy  them  of  almost  any  dealer  in 
this  line  of  goods  in  New  York. 


136  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

The  acetyline  jet  ordinarily  used  will  give  about  100 
candle  power,  but  if  you  wish  to  use  this  for  a  single  lantern 
we  can  furnish  you  with  a  special  burner  which  will  give 
about  150  candle  power,  but  it  cannot  be  used  with  dissolving 
key  as  they  smoke  when  turned  down.  The  price  of  jet, 
reflector,  and  stand,  without  hood,  is  $5 ;  the  price  of 
generators  are  as  listed  in  circular.  The  one-pound  size  is 
sufficiently  large  for  a  single  lantern  and  the  two-pound  size 
for  double. 

If  you  decide  to  use  our  apparatus,  would  advise  you  to  use 
the  hood  and  jet  complete,  as  I  am  sure  you  would  get  better 
results,  as  the  outfit  is  the  result  of  a  good  many  experiments 
to  determine  the  best  style  and  adjustments  to  use  for  this 
class  of  work. 

Yours  truly,  (219) 

To  OUR  CUSTOMERS  : 

Another  year  has  passed,  the  new  season  is  upon  us,  and 
we  once  more  present  to  our  friends  our  list  of  up-to-date 
good  things  in  the  steropticon  line.  In  apparatus  we  call 
special  attention  to  the  Rilford  Oxygen  Generator,  which  is  a 
first-class  instrument  for  the  possessor  of  a  single  lantern,  but 
is  not  yet  perfected  for  the  double  or  bi-unial. 

The  Beekman  Lantern  introduced  by  us  last  season  has 
been  a  wonderful  success,  even  more  so  than  we  anticipated, 
and  although  competition  has  been  very  keen,  we  have  been 
entirely  sold  out  of  this  lantern  for  some  weeks,  but  our  new 
supply  is  about  ready,  and  we  hope  to  be  able  to  supply  all 
comers.  Everyone  who  has  examined  this  instrument  declares 
it  to  be  the  finest  they  have  ever  seen. 

Among  our  new  sets  of  slides  we  beg  to  call  special 
attention  to  our  new  series  of  illustrated  sermons,  which  we 
have  been  led  to  introduce  through  the  wonderful  popularity 
of  the  "  Pilgrim's  Progress  "  sets.  The  slides  are  chiefly  from 
paintings  and  engravings  of  the  old  masters,  and  will,  we  are 
sure,  find  great  favor  with  pastors  for  their  Sunday  evening 
work. 

Everything  points  to  a  splendid  lantern  season  ;  plent}'  of 
business  for  all,  and  we  feel  sure  that  those  investing  in 
Stereopticon  outfits  this  season  will  make  money. 

Very  truly  yours,  (229) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  137 

Stocks  and  Bonds  Correspondence. 

Mr.  A.  J.  HOWE, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  From  Chicago  telegrams  to-day,  it  looks  as  if 
peace  had  been  restored  among  the  rival  gas  companies  of 
that  city,  and  that  rate  cutting  will  be  avoided.  The  different 
companies  will  work  in  harmony,  and  it  is  more  than  likely 
that  the  agreement  will  be  lived  up  to. 

The  Chicago  Gas  Company  will  certainly  reap  the  most 
benefit  by  the  declaration  of  peace,  as  its  business  is  on  a 
substantial  footing,  and  it  has  much  more  to  lose  by  rate 
cutting  than  any  of  its  rivals.  As  its  books  close  for  the 
usual  ii  per  cent,  dividend  on  Monday,  Oct.  8th,  there  is 
likely  to  be  good  buying  of  the  stock  on  the  good  news  as 
above,  and  as  the  short  interest  is  very  large,  heavy  covering 
by  the  bears  seems  inevitable. 

The  report  is  confirmed  that  the  Whiskey  Trust  has 
abolished  the  rebate  system.  This  is  looked  upon  as  favor- 
able, and  it  is  believed  that  the  new  people  associated  with 
the  Company  will  work  together  to  put  its  business  upon  a 
profitable  basis. 

Insiders  in  Sugar  continue  to  take  the  stock,  and  the 
trading  sentiment  is  much  less  bearish  than  in  the  early  part 
of  the  week 

The  railroad  list  is  irregular,  but  the  exertions  of  the  bears 
to  bring  out  long  stocks  seems  futile,  as  with  selling  pressure 
taken  from  the  Industrials,  the  former  make  quick  recovery 
from  depression,  and  with  any  encouragement  advance 
sharply. 

The  strength  of  Chicago  gas  to-day  gave  trading  a  fairly 
confident  tone,  and  the  buying  for  both  long  and  short 
account  in  many  stocks  was  general,  while  the  anxiety  of 
the  bears  to  cover  freely  seems  to  account  for  the  over-sold 
condition  of  the  market.  Transactions  in  Chicago  Gas  were 
very  large,  and  an  advance  of  3^  was  made  and  maintained. 
Sugar  advanced  if,  and  Distillers  f  for  the  day. 

Railroads  were  generally  strong,  with  Burlington,  Reading, 
The  Vanderbilt  and  the  Gould  stock  in  good  demand.  Rock 
Island  was  raided,  but  quickly  recovered,  while  St.  Paul 
showed  a  disposition  to  lag  behind.  The  close  was  steady. 

Yours  truly,  (352) 


138  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  W.  H.  HARRIS, 

Providence,  R.  I. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  enclose  a  copy  of  our  September  bond  list, 
which  we  shall  be  pleased  to  have  you  carefully  examine  if 
you  are  contemplating  an  investment  in  the  near  future. 

Our  bond  circulars  have  been  sent  to  you  for  some  time, 
and  as  we  have  not  recently  had  the  pleasure  of  serving  you 
in  the  investment  line,  we  take  the  liberty  of  inquiring 
whether  our  offerings  are  of  interest  to  you.  We  shall  be 
glad  to  continue  sending  them,  as  in  the  past,  if  you  find 
them  of  any  value  for  the  information  they  contain,  but,  on 
the  other  hand,  we  do  not  wish  to  annoy  you  with  our  lists  if 
you  are  not  interested  in  them. 

Will  you  kindly  indicate  on  this  letter  your  wishes  in  this 
respect  and  return  it  to  us  under  cover  of  the  enclosed 
stamped  envelope.  Upon  receipt  of  your  reply  we  will  be 
guided  accordingly. 

It  occurred  to  us  that  you  might  have  in  mind  the  names  of 
some  parties  in  your  locality  who  would  likely  be  interested 
in  bond  investments,  and  if  you  will  return  to  us  the  enclosed 
blank  with  a  memorandum  of  any  such  names  as  you  ma}' 
care  to  suggest,  the  favor  will  be  very  much  appreciated. 

Awaiting  your  pleasure  in  the  matter,  we  are, 

Yours  truly,  (224) 

Mr.  A.  H.  HINMAN, 

Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  The  absence  of  support  to  Sugar  is  much  com- 
mented upon,  and  its  weakness  alone  is  keeping  the  upward 
movement  in  railroads  in  check. 

The  railroad  list  is  overloaded  by  the  professional  traders. 
It  wants  to  advance,  but  the  weakness  in  the  Industrials  in 
general  and  Sugar  in  particular,  acts  as  a  wet  blanket  upon 
the  general  lists. 

Prices  in  the  railroad  list  at  present  are  attractive,  and  the 
same  may  be  said  of  Sugar,  Chicago  Gas,  and  National 
Lead. 

In  the  former,  Burlington,  St.  Paul,  and  Rock  Island,  as 
dividend  payers  at  present  prices  cannot  be  considered  other- 
wise than  cheap,  and  current  prices  for  Sugar,  Chicago  Gas, 
and  Lead  common,  paying  3  per  cent.,  i^  per  cent,  and  i  per 
cent,  quarterly  show  good  returns  as  investments. 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  1^0 

Sugar  has  for  so  long  monopolized  the  attention  of  traders, 
and  transactions  in  the  stock  have  been  so  large,  that  its 
weakness  has  naturally  a  depressing  effect  upon  all  Stock 
Exchange  values ;  but  considering  the  downward  course  of 
Sugar  recently,  the  strength  of  railroad  securities  has  been 
pronounced,  showing  that  the  latter  are  inclined  to  cut  adrift 
from  the  manipulation  in  the  Industrials. 

Watching  the  course  of  Sugar  lately,  it  is  obvious  that 
insiders  have  favored  lower  prices.  Sugar  interests  financially 
have  the  command  of  millions  of  money,  and  without  consent 
of  insiders,  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  hammer  the  stock 
dowrn  without  its  turning  sharply.  When  insiders  are  ready, 
the  stock  will  advance  without  notice,  as  the  property  is  in 
the  same  profitable  business  as  when  the  stock  was  selling  at 
1 1  5  per  cent,  a  month  ago. 

To-day  railroads  are  strong  and  Sugar  weak.  Early  trading 
saw  improvement,  but  before  the  close  the  non-support  to 
Sugar  caused  it  to  be  cut  down.  Prices,  however,  closed 
generally  higher  than  yesterday  in  the  railroad  list. 

Yours  truly.  (3°6) 

Mr.  R.  A.  BOWES, 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  During  the  depression  throughout  the  entire 
business  community  of  the  country,  I  have  deemed  it  inex- 
pedient to  call  to  your  attention  any  securities  for  investment, 
however  meritorious. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  during  the  past  two  or  three  years 
many  so-called  investment  stocks  and  bonds  of  railroads  and 
industrial  corporations  have  made  little  or  no  return,  owing 
to  extraordinary  conditions,  it  is  gratifying  to  note  that  the 
stock  of  the  Delaware  Ship  and  Engine  Building  Company,  to 
which  I  first  called  the  attention  of  my  clients  in  February, 
1898,  has  paid,  since  that  date,  continuous  dividends,  amount- 
ing in  the  aggregate  to  over  50  per  cent.  ;  the  last  dividend  of 
2  per  cent,  quarterly  and  10  per  cent,  extra  having  been 
declared  payable  the  1 5th  inst. 

The  information  contained  in  my  circular  of  above  date  has 
been  fully  borne  out  by  subsequent  events,  and  it  is  not  an 
exaggeration  to  state  that  the  period  of  improved  steamship 
building  in  this  country,  as  exemplified  by  the  Delaware  Ship 
and  Engine  Building  Company,  is  now  reaching  its  fulfilment. 


140          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

The  following  facts,  previously  submitted  by  me,  I  deem 
worthy  of  reiteration,  leaving  the  question  of  investment  in 
the  stock  to  your  judgment,  with  the  assurance  that  conser- 
vative capitalization,  prudent  management  and  profitable 
contracts  will  continue  to  bring  to  the  Company  in  the  future 
the  success  it  has  achieved  in  the  past. 

The  authorized  Capital  Stock  of  the  Company  is  $5,000,000, 
of  which  $160,000  is  retained  in  the  treasury.  The  immense 
plant  of  the  concern,  covering  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  subject  only  to  a  small  mortgage,  is  owned  by 
the  Company. 

The  business  of  the  Company  has  assumed  enormous 
proportions,  owing  to  the  development  of  the  Governmental 
and  commercial  ship-building,  so  that  at  the  present  time  the 
Company  has  nearly  6,000  employees,  and  contracts  aggrega- 
ting about  $15,000,000. 

Regular  quarterly  dividends,  at  the  rate  of  8  per  cent,  per 
annum,  are  payable  on  the  i5th  days  of  December,  March, 
June,  and  September,  and  extra  dividends  whenever  in  the 
discretion  of  the  Board  of  Directors  such  payments  are 
deemed  advisable. 

I  offer  at  93  flat,  subject  to  sale  and  change  in  price,  a  very 
limited  amount  of  the  stock. 

Further  particulars  regarding  the  investment  furnished  on 
application. 

Yours  very  truly,  (39 1) 

Messrs.  CASSELL  &  BYRNE, 
New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sirs :  In  compliance  with  your  request  made  at  our 
interview  this  evening,  we  have  the  honor  to  submit  to 
you  the  following  proposition  for  consideration  by  Messrs. 
Simonds  and  Carney. 

We  submit  to  you  on  behalf  of  a  client,  an  offer  to  sell 
a  controlling  interest  (260  shares  out  of  500)  of  the  American 
Wheel  Company  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  at  102^.  This  offer  is 
confidential,  and  is  subject  to  withdrawal  if  not  promptly 
accepted. 

You  are  doubtless  aware,  without  our  mentioning  it,  of  the 
enormous  advantage  that  would  accrue  to  you  from  such  a 
purchase. 

Very  respectfully  yours,  (106) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  141 

Store  Fixtures. 

THE  CASSELL  HARDWARE  Co., 
Lincoln,  Neb. 

Gentlemen:  Replying  to  your  favor  of  the  i2th  inst., 
enclosing  letter  from  the  Grand  Island  Store  Fixture  Co., 
would  say  that  we  have  had  our  factory  go  over  this  very 
carefully,  and  we  now  take  pleasure  in  quoting  you  as  follows  : 
24  Cast  Brass  Uprights  5"  high  for  corners,  nickel  plated,  and 
48  cast  brass  uprights  5"  high  for  centers,  nickel  plated,  at  a 
cost  of  $48.40  for  the  lot.  Brass  cased  tubing  plated,  ;•",  cut 
to  various  lengths  mentioned  in  your  letter,  at  a  cost  of  140. 
per  foot  net,  or  brass  tubing  No.  20  B.  &  S.  Gauge,  nickel 
plated,  -•",  also  cut  to  the  various  lengths  mentioned  in  your 
letter,  at  a  cost  of  i3C.  per  foot  net.  Of  course  you  under- 
stand there  will  be  a  charge  for  what  waste  there  might  be  in 
cutting.  For  instance,  on  the  lengths  7  ft.  10"  we  shall  have 
to  charge  you  for  8  ft.  and  on  the  length  i  ft.  1 1 J-"  for  2  ft. 
We  enclose  herewith  full  size  sketch  of  the  upright,  showing 
you  just  what  we  have  figured  on  supplying.  We  also  return 
letter  from  the  Grand  Island  Store  Fixture  Co.  We  call  your 
attention  to  the  fact  that  in  their  letter  they  say  nothing  about 
end  uprights.  As  we  presume  this  rail  is  to  be  used  as  a 
desk  rail,  we  think  that  they  will  require  some  end  uprights. 
However,  we  have  not  quoted  on  same,  but  should  they 
require  any,  please  let  us  know  just  how  many  they  will  want, 
and  we  will  be  glad  to  furnish  you  with  estimate. 

Terms  2  per  cent.  10  days  or  60  days  net,  F.  O.  B.  Misnus, 
Conn. 

In  the  event  of  your  favoring  us  with  an  order,  will  you 
kindly  return  sketch  ? 

Yours  truly,  (305) 

Mr.  H.  J.  STUBBS, 

Norton,  Conn. 

Dear  Sir  :  Please  let  us  have  your  best  price  on  i£"  and  ti" 
Cast  Brass  Sockets,  one  open  and  one  closed.  List  price  is 
$2.88  per  gross,  and  we  presume  you  will  allow  us  a  discount 
of  50  per  cent.  Have  you  five  gross  of  i£"  and  two  gross 
pairs  i|"  that  you  will  sell  us  at  the  above-named  price?  If 
so  send"  sample  by  bearer. 

Yours  truly,  (75) 


142  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  R.  Fox  &  Co., 

Lisbon,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen :  Agreeably  to  your  request,  we  have  the 
pleasure  to  enclose  you  a  page  from  our  catalogue  giving 
price  list  and  illustrations  of  our  make  of  drawer  knobs, 
shutter  knobs,  and  picture  knobs  for  stores.  We  likewise 
enclose  corrected  price  list  and  discounts  applying  to  these 
articles. 

We  shall  be  very  pleased  to  have  your  orders,  and  can  fill 
any  from  our  stock  at  short  notice. 

Yours  truly,  (74) 

Messrs.  T.  COWELL  &  SON, 
Homestead,  Pa. 

Gentlemen :  As  requested,  we  send  you  our  catalogue  of 
lamps,  etc.,  suitable  for  stores.  The  best  discount  on  this 
line  is  20  per  cent,  from  the  revised  price  list  enclosed  in  the 
catalogue  sent  under  separate  cover. 

We  trust  to  receive  your  order,  which  will  have  our  prompt 
attention. 

Yours  truly,  (58) 

Mr.  R.  L.  JAMESON, 

Lyons,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  Replying  to  your  letter  of  the  i5th,  we  send  you 
illustrations  of  Stair  plates.  We  can  furnish  these  in  brass 
for  $40  per  pound  net,  and  the  plates  mentioned  in  your  letter 
will  weigh  about  79^-  pounds. 

We  shall  be  pleased  to  receive  your  order. 

Yours  truly,  (57) 

Mr.  S.  J.  CLARK, 

Lovering,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir:  Replying  to  your  letter  of  the  15111,  we  beg  to 
say  that  we  expect  to  be  able  to  send  you  electrotypes 
to-morrow.  We  will  include  the  electros  of  Curtain  Pole 
Ends  8io(>  783,  926,  as  requested.  Our  best  price  in  case  lots 
of  Trimmings  No.  442  or  610  is  15  cents  per  set  net. 

We  shall  be  pleased  to  receive  your  order. 

Yours  truly,  (72) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  M^ 

Tobacco  Trade  Correspondence 

Mr.  M.  B.  FULLER, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

D.  ear  Sir :  The  "  Mohawk "  sample  packages  of  tobacco 
were  received  by  the  writer  this  morning.  We  have  sub- 
mitted them  to  the  proper  parties  here,  who  pronounce  them 
all  right,  and  would  request  you  to  make  all  further  shipments 
from  goods  manufactured  according  to  this  formula,  using  the 
same  style  carton  and  foil  package  as  you  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  using  for  the  "  Caporal  "  brand. 

If  we  can  be  of  any  further  service  to  you  please  advise  us. 
Very  truly  yours,  (90) 

Mr.  SAMUEL  MINER, 

Toledo,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  a  communication  from 
Howe  Bros.,  of  Cleveland,  stating  that  the  last  2\  oz.  foil 
package  of  "  Virginia "  tobacco  sent  them  was  not  up  to 
standard,  and  their  customers  are  returning  the  goods.  We 
send  you  under  separate  cover  to-day  a  sample  of  last  week's 
product,  and  request  that  you  make  a  thorough  examination 
of  same,  and  give  us  at  the  earliest  possible  time  your 
recommendations  in  the  matter. 

Thanking  you  in  advance,  and  awaiting  your  reply, 

Yours  truly,  (92) 

Messrs.  CANNING  &  Co., 
Boston,  Mass. 

Gentlemen  :  We  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  favor 
of  the  23d  inst.  relative  to  new  style  foil  tobacco  package. 
Your  suggestion  as  to  the  manner  in  which  to  place  packages 
in  the  carton  is  very  explicit,  and  offers  an  advantage  over  our 
present  method,  and  we  will  immediately  adopt  it.  We  see 
that  this  will  enable  us  to  reduce  the  depth  of  the  carton  by  a 
quarter  of  an  inch,  and  we  will  govern  ourselves  accordingly 
when  placing  our  next  order  for  cartons  for  these  goods. 

Yours  truly,  (96; 

THE  BROOKLYN  PAPER  Box  Co., 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  November 
2oth  regarding  folding  boxes  for  our  "Star"  brand  of  smoking 
tobacco.  Without  entering  into  a  full  discussion  of  this 
matter  would  request  that  you  send  us  samples  of  these 


144          TWENTIETH    CENTURY   BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

boxes  in  the  various  sizes,  and  give  us  some  idea  as  to  how 
cheaply  they  could  be  manufactured,  if  we  could  be  privileged 
to  use  them  without  paying  anyone  a  royalty,  etc.  In  fact, 
present  the  whole  matter  without  going  too  fully  into  detail,  in 
order  that  we  may  give  it  preliminary  consideration,  and,  if 
found  of  sufficient  interest,  a  more  thorough  examination  later. 

Yours  very  truly,  ( 1 1 5) 

Mr.  HENRY  CARTER, 

Milford,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir :  We  take  pleasure  in  sending  you  the  enclosed 
sample  of  High  Admiral  Cigarettes,  which  we  hope  you  will 
try.  You  will  notice  that  the  High  Admiral  is  a  distinct 
change  from  the  old  pencil  shaped  style,  being  the  Turkish 
oval  shape,  which  is  so  much  more  expensive  to  produce. 
Will  you  oblige  us  with  the  names  and  addresses  of  five  of 
your  friends.  We  would  like  to  send  them  similar  packages. 
We  have  your  name  on  our  list,  and  shall  take  pleasure  in 
sending  you  occasionally  reminders  of  that  fact,  and  trust  you 
will  be  pleased  with  them. 

Yours  truly,  (107) 

Typewriters  and  Supplies  Correspondence. 

Mr.  J.  H.  PERKINS, 

Allentown,  Pa. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  manufacturing  a  new  line  of  typewriter 
ribbons  and  carbon  papers,  and  are  desirous  of  securing  the 
names  and  addresses  of  as  many  stenographers  and  type- 
writer operators  in  New  York  city  and  throughout  the  country 
as  possible,  and  write  to  know  if  you  will  kindly  furnish  us 
with  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  subscribers  to  your  paper 
in  order  that  we  may  mail  our  premium  catalogue  to  them. 
Your  kind  and  prompt  attention  to  this  matter  will  oblige. 

Yours  truly,  (90) 

Messrs.  C.  J.  STOCK  &  Co., 
Baltimore,  Md. 

Gentlemen  :  We  beg  to  call  your  attention  to  the  enclosed 
circular  descriptive  of  our  new  copy-holder,  the  only  practical 
and  up  to  date  holder  on  the  market.  It  is  particularly 
valuable  to  Touch  Typewriters.  To  those  who  are  pursuing 
the  haphazard  method  of  writing  it  will  be  found  invaluable, 
because  it  will  assist  them  in  becoming  touch  operators.  It 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  145 

places  the  copy  where  it  ought  to  be,  in  front  of  the  operator 
and  on  a  level  with  the  eyes.  It  increases  the  speed  of 
operating  20  per  cent,  to  40  per  cent. 

It  takes  up  no  room. 

It  is  portable  and  easily  detached. 

It  does  not  tire  the  neck  or  back. 

It  holds  a  15  Ib.  book  just  as  easily  as  a  single  sheet. 

It  does  not  affect  the  eyesight.  There  is  no  glancing  back 
and  forth  from  the  copy  to  the  keyboard. 

Every  operator  who  is  at  all  inclined  to  be  up  to  date,  and 
who  wants  to  better  his  or  her  condition,  wants  this  holder. 
The  price  of  the  holder  is  $2.00,  express  prepaid.  In 
quantities  of  i  dozen  or  more,  $15.00  per  dozen. 

Kindly  look  this  circular  over  and  see  if  you  do  not  think 
you  ought  to  have  at  least  one  holder. 

Yours  truly,  (2I?) 

Mr.  J.  J.  HILL, 

Newark,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir :  Yours  of  the  ad  inst.  received.  In  reply  would 
say  that  we  make  a  specialty  of  recovering  typewriter 
platens  to  order  in  a  superior  manner,  as  well  as  of  manu- 
facturing and  selling  platens  of  a  superior  quality  for  all 
leading  typewriters.  After  elaborate  tests  of  the  rubber  made 
for  platens,  by  the  various  rubber  manufacturing  companies, 
we  are  prepared  to  furnish  either  soft,  medium  or  hard 
platens  which  are  guaranteed  to  be  equal  to  anything  on  the 
market. 

Trusting  that  you  will  give  us  a  trial,  we  are, 

Yours  truly,  (10°) 

Messrs.  COMER  &  Co., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  In  reply  to  yours  of  March  i4th  would  say  that 
the  patent  escapements  which  you  have  on  my  machines  are 
giving  entire  satisfaction.  To  my  mind  there  is  no  question 
as  to  their  superiority,  as  they  not  only  increase  the  speed  of 
the  machines  and  make  them  easier  to  operate,  but  the 
running  together  of  letters  has  been  entirely  eliminated.  By 
reason  of  the  lighter  touch  which  the  escapement  gives,  the 
saving  in  platens  is  marked  and  the  wear  greatly  decreased, 
while  the  general  working  of  the  machines  is  considerably 
improved. 

Yours  truly,  (100) 

10  D.  B. 


146          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS   DICTATION    BOOK. 

THE  TOLEDO  INSURANCE  Co., 

Toledo,  Ohio. 

Gentlemen  :  As  you  are  using  a  number  of  typewriters,  we 
beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to  our  extensive  repair  depart- 
ment. It  is  in  charge  of  Mr.  Homans,  the  inventor  of  the 
Homans  swivelling  dog  and  plate,  and  one  of  the  best  type- 
writer experts  in  the  business.  The  workmen  are  chosen  for 
their  abilities  as  typewrights,  and  are  trustworthy  and 
courteous.  The  company  furnishes  you  with  a  good  loan 
machine  while  your  typewriter  is  at  the  factory  for  repairs. 
The  repairs  are  made  strictly  to  your  order,  promptly, 
thoroughly,  and  at  as  small  expense  as  is  consistent  with 
first-class  work.  We  invite  you  to  call  and  examine  our 
facilities. 

Yours  truly,  (i  17) 

Wines  and  Liquors. 
Mr.  WM.  BRYAN, 

Orange,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  take  pleasure  in  announcing  that  we  offer 
our  patrons  and  the  public  a  Champagne  of  Special  Dry  type 
that  will  compare  favorably  with  the  highest  class  of  French 
Champagnes.  In  brilliancy  it  is  unsurpassed,  the  sparkling 
quality  is  extremely  fine,  the  bouquet  is  delightful  as  a  rose, 
and  the  flavor  none  can  excel. 

The  time  has  passed  for  gentlemen  to  excuse  themselves  for 
offering  an  American  Champagne  to  their  friends.  On  the 
contrary,  there  is  a  national  pride  in  being  able  to  offer  to 
their  guests  a  pure  and  truly  first-class  Champagne,  made 
from  American  grapes.  Having  put  the  prices  of  this  superior 
Champagne  at  about  half  the  price  of  imported,  we  feel  confi- 
dent that  its  merits  will  be  readily  appreciated. 

Yours  truly,  (134) 

Mr.  H.  H.  HAYES, 

Newark,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir:  As  you  are  probably  aware,  natural,  or  "  dry  " 
wines,  cannot  be  used  from  demijohns  or  kegs  without  injury. 
We  have,  therefore,  made  the  prices  on  our  "  dry  "  wines  so 
low  by  the  100  bottles  that  our  customers  will  be  the  gainers 
in  every  way.  First,  we  sell  the  wines  in  this  quantity  ten 
per  cent,  less  than  the  gallon  rate,  only  charging  the  actual 
cost  for  bottling.  It  is  well  understood  that  the  dry  wines 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  147 

improve  twenty  per  cent,  in  value  the  first  year  after  buttling. 
The  wine  becomes  softer  and  more  mellow,  taking  on  the 
bottle  flavor  which  is  so  much  sought  after  by  all  European 
wine  drinkers.  We,  therefore,  feel  assured  our  customers 
will  appreciate  the  advantages  derived  in  buying  wines  in  this 
way.  Remember,  we  guarantee  all  our  wines  to  be  thoroughly 
matured  and  bottle  ripe. 

Yours  truly,  (15°) 

Mr.  LEWIS  C.  CALDWELL, 

South  Bend,  Ind. 

Dear  Sir:  Replying  to  your  valued  favor  of  recent  date,  we 
beg  to  say  that  it  is  perfectly  safe  to  order  G.  H.  Alumni 
and  Co.'s  extra  Dry  of  respectable  dealers  ;  however,  imita- 
tions may  appear,  and  if  in  doubt  see  that  the  cork  bears  the 
eagle  trade  mark  and  name.  Any  information  sent  to  F. 
de  Bary  and  Co.,  New  York,  leading  to  prosecution  of  parties 
selling  imitation  Mumm  will  be  much  appreciated,  as  all 
infringements  will  be  prosecuted  to  the  fullest  extent  of  the 
law. 

We  would  add  that  the  phenomenal  importation  in  1899  of 
109,303  cases  of  G.  H.  Mumm  &  Co.'s  Extra  Dry,  being 
72,495  cases  more  than  any  other  brand,  is  a  record  never 
before  approached. 

Very  truly  yours,  (J3°) 

C.  A.  BARRY, 

Paterson,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  i3th  inst.  has  our  attention. 
We  quote  you  to-day  a  specially  cheap  lot  of  150  barrels 
Hannisville  whiskey,  spring  of  '94,  at  77!  cents.  Would 
be  glad  to  have  your  order  for  the  lot  or  any  part  of  it.  We 
also  quote  a  lot  of  50  barrels  "  Orient,"  May  '92,  at  50  cents, 
in  bond,  or  at  $1.95  free  at  distillery.  This  is  good  whiskey, 
prime  and  nice  and  well  matured.  Proof  is  in  percent,  to 
113  per  cent. 

Yours  truly,  (94) 

Mr.  J.  A.  BROWN, 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

Dear  Sir:  We  ask  your  attention  to  the  accompanying 
pamphlet  and  printed  slip.  They  will  tell  you  how  and  at 
what  prices  you  can  obtain  good  and  pure  wines  that  are 
unsurpassed  for  either  medicinal  or  table  uses.  Those  who 
do  not  use  wines  on  the  table,  or  socially,  may  at  any  hour  be 


148          TWENTIKTH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

in  absolute  need  of  a  good  article.  With  or  without  a  phy- 
sician's prescription,  it  should  be  in  your  closet  or  cellar  for 
immediate  use. 

During  forty  years  our  wines  have  stood  every  test  as  to 
purity  and  quality.  We  guarantee  satisfaction.  If  goods  are 
not  exactly  as  represented  we  will  gladly  exchange  or  refund 
the  money.  We  would  call  especial  attention  to  the  two 
sample  cases  on  enclosed  slip,  as  they  will  enable  those  not 
personally  acquainted  with  our  wines  an  opportunity  to 
become  so  at  a  very  low  figure. 

We  have  no  salesman  or  agents.  This  is  the  only  way  in 
which  we  will  solicit  your  patronage.  A  trial  order  is  respect- 
fully requested. 

Yours  truly,  (r79J 

Wood  Finishing  Correspondence. 

THE  ADAMS  MANUFACTURING  Co., 
Utica,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  Replying  to  yours  of  April  24th,  we  mail  you 
under  separate  cover  our  catalogue,  on  page  59  of  which  you 
will  find  our  quotations  on  Black  Japan.  From  the  prices 
therein  named  we  can  allow  you  a  discount  of  10  per  cent. 
This  Black  Japan  is  self-drying  and  is  a  superior  article  for 
renovating  ironwork  of  all  descriptions,  sewing  machine 
standards,  registers,  typewriters,  safes,  etc,  etc.  It  dries  with 
a  beautiful  black  gloss  finish. 

Very  truly  yours,  (84) 

J.  B.  CLARK  &  Co., 

Toledo,  O. 

Gentlemen :  We  are  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  our  sales- 
man, Mr.  Meyer,  stating  that  you  want  something  to  fill  iron 
work  with  preparatory  to  japanning  or  varnishing. 

We  have  had  our  No.  I  Filler  used  for  this  purpose  very 
satisfactorily.  Also  some  have  used  the  dry  silex  that  enters 
into  the  make-up  of  the  filler,  and  have  mixed  that  with  their 
first  coat  of  baking  japan  and  used  it  in  that  way.  We  would 
be  pleased  to  send  you  without  charge  samples  of  the  filler 
and  also  of  the  dry  silex,  so  that  you  might  experiment  with 
same  and  see  which  was  suited  for  your  purposes. 

Soliciting  your  further  correspondence  on  the  subject,  we 
remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (127) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  149 

Messrs.  MATTHEWS  &  Co., 

Providence,  R.  I. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  May  i  st. 
You  desire  us  to  send  you  a  sample  of  the  very  best  article 
we  have  in  the  way  of  a  filler  to  stain  and  finish  Mahogany 
wood  in  a  dark  rich  color. 

Mahogany  is  treated  in  various  ways.  Take  the  finely 
finished  Mahogany  on  some  of  our  best  pianos,  and  that  is 
first  treated  to  a  coat  of  what  is  known  as  Old  Mahogany 
Water  Stain  or  a  Bi-Chromate  of  Potash  Stain,  and  then 
subjected  to  the  fumes  of  ammonia,  after  which  it  is  filled 
with  our  Transparent  No.  i  Wood  Filler,  thinned  with  white 
japan,  linseed  oil,  and  turpentine ;  or  in  some  cases  what  is 
known  as  our  Superfine  Transparent  Mahogany  Filler  is 
used,  and  this  simply  requires  thinning  with  turpentine. 
What  we  think  you  want,  however,  is  to  fill  your  Mahogany 
with  our  Mahogany  X  Filler,  first  staining  your  Mahogany 
with  Old  Mahogany  Water  Stain.  We  are  sending  you 
samples  of  this  to  try. 

Assuring  you  of  our  willingness  to  assist  you  in  every  way 
possible,  we  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (I9°) 

Mr.  T.  D.  WILLIAMS, 

Manchester,  N.  H. 

Dear  Sir  :  It  has  occurred  to  us  that  the  person  in  your  firm 
or  concern  who  is  directly  connected  with  the  finishing  of  the 
wood  work  might  be  interested  in  this  communication,  and  we 
will  thank  you  for  seeing  that  his  attention  is  called  to  this 
letter.  In  Golden  Oak  Wood  Fillers,  in  order  that  the  wood 
filler  may  fill  as  well  as  stain,  it  is  necessary  that  a  great  deal 
of  coloring  matter  be  used  in  same.  Now,  that  these  fillers 
may  dry  right,  it  has  heretofore  been  necessary  to  very 
quickly  and  promptly  after  the  filler  has  been  applied  rub 
same  off  and  into  the  pores,  otherwise  the  filler  was  liable  to 
become  hard  and  difficult  to  remove. 

While  in  our  regular  products  we  have  made  no  change, 
we  have  lately  succeeded  in  making  Golden  Oak  Wood  Fillers 
by  a  new  process,  which,  while  it  retains  all  the  properties  as 
to  filling  and  coloring  as  heretofore,  has  this  special  advantage, 
that  it  can  be  applied  to  an  article  of  furniture  and  left  on 
same  even  as  long  as  one  hour  before  it  is  rubbed  off,  and  it 
very  easily  rub  off,  and  at  the  same  time  pack  readily 


150  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

into  the  pores  of  the  wood.  We  have  carefully  experimented 
on  this  new  discovery  in  our  sample  room,  and  have  since  had 
experience  with  it  with  one  of  the  largest  furniture  manufac- 
turers in  the  country,  and  they  are  so  well  pleased  with  it  that 
they  give  it  preference  to  any  that  they  have  heretofore  been 
using. 

If  you  are  interested,  we  will  be  pleased  to  send  you  by 
express  prepaid,  free  of  any  expense  to  you,  a  sample  of 
this  filler — i,  2,  or  5  Ibs.,  as  it  may  be  necessary  for  you  to  judge 
of  its  merits  yourself.  We  enclose  a  blank  form  of  request, 
which  you  can  fill  out  and  return  to  us.  Unless  you  request 
otherwise,  we  will  send  the  sample  to  you  in  our  regular 
Golden  Oak  color.  We  can,  however,  give  it  to  you  in  any 
shade  or  color,  and  will  match  any  sample  that  you  may  be 
pleased  to  submit  to  us.  Trusting  to  hear  from  you,  we 
remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (374) 

L.  C.  FULLER  &  SON, 
Albany,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen :  Your  favor  of  loth  received,  and  in  reply 
would  state  that  we  could  send  you  coloring  matter  that  you 
might  reduce  with  benzine  and  put  in  your  tank,  and  then 
stain  the  whole  chair  and  afterwards  fill  the  part  you  want  to 
fill,  with  the  paste  filler.  Of  course,  this  would  be  in  the 
nature  of  an  experiment  for  you  to  try.  If  you  favor  us  with 
an  order  for  the  coloring  matter,  we  will  be  pleased  to  fill 
same. 

Very  truly  yours,  (91) 

Messrs.  CHAS.  RICHARDS  &  Co., 

215  W.  Lake  Street,  Chicago,  111. 

Gentlemen :  Replying  to  your  favor  of  3d,  we  quote  you 
our  Diamond  Pumice  Stone,  Nos.  3,  4,  5  .and  6,  in  barrels  at 
1 1  cents,  per  lb.,  no  charge  for  barrels.  This  article  is  used 
by  some  of  the  largest  and  most  prominent  railroad  companies 
throughout  the  country.  Where  natural  woodwork  on  cars 
has  become  dim  and  dirty,  by  taking  a  mixture  of  soft  soap 
and  either  the  No.  5  or  No.  6  Diamond  Pumice,  and  sen  bbing 
the  work,  and  then  cleaning  it  off  with  water,  and  drying  it, 
the  surface  is  again  prepared  for  varnishing.  We  hope  to 
have  your  order. 

Very  truly  yours,  (IJ6) 


BUSINESS    DICTATIOX.  I  5  ] 

DAYTON  MANTEL  &  FURNITURE  Co., 

Dayton,  O. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  (jth,  and  in 
reference  to  your  complaint  about  the  Golden  Oak  tiller 
getting  lighter  in  color  as  you  get  into  the  barrel,  would  state, 
that  this  difficulty  arises  owing  to  the  amount  of  stains  that 
we  are  compelled  to  put  into  this  filler  in  order  to  have  it  fill 
and  stain  at  the  same  time.  The  only  remedy  for  it  is  to  keep 
it  always  well  stirred  up  before  taking  out.  The  difficulty  is 
that  the  coloring  matter  gets  to  the  top,  and  if  the  original 
package  is  not  well  stirred  up  you  are  liable  to  take  the  strong 
color  off  at  one  time  more  than  another. 

\Ye  might  add  that  we  are  experimenting  in  a  new  direction 
to  overcome  this  difficulty,  but  our  experiments  have  not  yet 
progressed  sufficiently  far  to  enable  us  to  state  anything 
definite  as  to  the  result. 

Very  truly  yours,  C1^1) 

Mr.  W.  A.  BENNETT, 

489  Columbus  Avenue,  Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir  :  Replying  to  yours  of  9th,  we  beg  to  say  that  the 
proper  way  to  treat  new  hardwood  floors  is  to  first  fill  them 
with  our  No.  i  Patent  Wood  Filler.  Use  the  light  for  light 
woods  ;  also  for  floors  composed  of  light  and  dark  woods  ;  in 
the  latter  case  adding  a  little  raw  linseed  oil  to  the  turpentine 
in  thinning — about  a  tablespoonful  to  i  Ib.  of  filler.  For 
Walnut,  use  the  No.  3  or  dark  filler. 

The  filler  should  be  thinned  with  turpentine  to  the  consis- 
tency of  thin  varnish,  and  applied  to  the  floor  with  a  brush, 
going  over  as  much  space  as  can  be  conveniently  reached  ; 
allow  a  few  minutes  for  the  filler  to  set ;  then  with  a  handful 
of  Excelsior  shavings  rub  the  filler  across  the  grain  of  the 
wood  into  the  pores  and  off  the  floor  ;  follow  with  a  cloth  in 
the  same  manner.  Allow  the  filler  twent}^-four  hours  or  more 
to  dry.  Then  finish  the  floor  with  our  Floor  Polish.  Do  not 
apply  this  polish  with  a  brush  but  with  cloth  ;  shake  can  well 
and  rub  over  the  floor,  and  wipe  it  off  clean  as  you  proceed. 
Your  floor  now  needs  nothing  more  done  to  it  but  to  keep  it 
clean  until  the  polish  is  worn  off,  then  it  may  be  treated  to 
another  application  as  before  directed. 

We  will  be  pleased  to  give  you  any  further  information  you 
desire. 

Very  truly  yours,  (249) 


152  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

THE  MOOREHOUSE  MFG.  Co., 
Houston,  Tex. 

Gentlemen:  Your  favor  of  the  i2th  received.  We  will 
enter  your  order  for  a  ton  of  our  No.  303  silex,  which  is  the 
kind  best  adapted  for  use  in  scouring  soap.  The  way  to  use 
this  article  is  to  crutch  it  into  the  soap  with  the  sal  soda.  We 
would  not  recommend  over  50  Ibs.  for  the  frame  of  1200  Ibs. 
Of  course,  if  it  were  used  as  an  adulterant,  you  could  use 
more  than  50  Ibs.  For  adulterating  purposes  there  are,  how- 
ever, a  great  many  cheaper  articles,  such  as  talc,  ground 
marble  dust,  etc. 

If  there  is  anything  further  we  can  help  you  on,  we  would 
be  pleased  to  have  you  let  us  know. 

Very  truly  yours,  (123) 

Mr.  J.  T.  ANDERSON, 

Herkimer,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  order 
for  five  gallons  of  our  J  Oil  Stain,  and  same  will  go  to  you  by 
express  to-night. 

The  method  of  using  this  is  to  coat  over  the  surface  of  the 
wood  to  be  stained,  b}'  using  a  cloth,  sponge,  or  brush. 
Where  it  is  desirous  not  to  color  the  wood  too  much,  remove 
the  stain  with  a  clean  piece  of  cheese  cloth  shortly  after 
applying.  Where  it  is  desired  to  dye  the  wood  heavier  or 
deeper,  apply  the  stain  more  freely  and  leave  on  longer  before 
wiping  off.  Depth  of  color  or  shade  may  also  be  changed  to 
the  shade  or  hue  desired  by  further  reducing  the  stain  with 
benzine  or  turpentine.  Allow  the  stain  twenty-four  hours  to 
dry  and  then  fill  with  the  desired  color  or  shade  of  wood 
filler  :  and  when  same  is  dry,  finish  and  varnish  as  desired. 

Thanking  you  for  your  order,  we  remain, 

Very  truly  yours,  (16$) 

Messrs.  AUERBACH  &  THOMPSON, 

Norfolk,  Va. 

Gentlemen:  Replying  to  your  favor  of  ist  in  reference  to 
our  new  Golden  Oak  finish,  we  beg  to  state  that  the  process, 
which  we  will  be  pleased  to  have  you  try,  is  as  follows : — 
Take  nicely  quartered  oak,  finely  sandpapered.  First  treat 
with  a  coat  of  our  Alphite,  which  is  not  a  paint  but  is  a  trans- 
parent substance  somewhat  similar  to  oil.  In  about  an  hour's 
time,  apply  a  coat  of  our  English  Oak  Water  Stain.  Allow 


BUSIN'KSS    DICTATION.  153 

this  to  dry  until  the  next  day,  and  then  fill  with  our  Golden 
Oak  filler.  This  filler  enters  into  the  pores  of  the  wood,  pro- 
ducing a  firm  base  for  the  varnish  to  rest  on.  At  the  .same 
time,  the  act  of  rubbing  the  filler  into  the  wood  and  wiping  it 
off  from  the  wood,  cleans  up  the  hard  or  white  parts  of  the 
oak  and  brings  them  out  light.  After  the  filler  has  dried 
thoroughly  hard  in  the  pores,  then  varnish  and  finish.  You 
will  find  the  effect  is  very  beautiful. 

We  would  be  pleased  to  hear  from  you  after  you  have  made 
this  test. 

Very  truly  yours,  (19°) 

J.  B.  WATSON  &  Co., 

Boston,  Mass. 

Gentlemen :  Please  order  for  us  1000  feet  each  of  the 
following  woods,  in  4  or  6  feet.  Please  personally  see  that 
we  get  the  nicest  grained  woods  possible  as  we  wish  them  for 
our  sample  room  work. 

Quartered  White  Oak.  Yellow  Maple. 

Bird's  eye  Maple.  Cypress. 

Mahogany.  Tulip  Wood. 

Finely  Figured  Curly  Birch      Amaranth. 

Plain  White  Maple. 

Please  have  same  securely  packed  and  shipped  to  us  as  early 
as  possible,  and  oblige, 

Very  truly  yours,  (84) 

Wool  Trade  Correspondence. 

Mr.  S.  MITCHELL, 

Haverhill,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  9th  inst, 
and  in  reply  would  say  that  as  soon  as  we  get  any  offers  on 
the  Combings  you  will  hear  from  us  on  your  Delaine.  On 
the  Lamb's  wool  we  are  still  in  the  dark  as  to  prices.  Blacks 
and  Greys  are  unsaleable  at  present,  and  until  we  work  off  a 
portion  of  this  stock  we  will  not  be  interested  in  any  more. 

Yours  truly,  (82) 

Mr.  D.  LAMONT, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  Kindly  send  test  samples  and  prices  of  all  the 
Combings  and  Fine  A's  you  have  to  dispose  of.  We  are  also 
in  the  market  for  the  better  grades  of  Lamb's  wool,  and  if  you 
have  any  on  hand  from  last  year's  pullings  we  would  be  glad 


154  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

to  have  samples  of  them  also.  We  have  a  large  order  for 
scoured  wools  and  want  to  give  your  samples  a  test.  Should 
the  shrinkage  come  out  about  the  average  and  your  prices  are 
right  we  will  take  the  entire  lot. 

Yours  truly,  (97) 

Messrs.  RAWLS  &  Co., 

Newton,  Mass. 

Gentlemen  :  We  notice  that  the  lot  of  wool  that  you  have 
just  scoured  for  us  has  a  very  peculiar  smell  and  does  not 
seem  clean.  It  has  a  very  sticky  feel,  more  like  brushed  wool. 
Will  you  kindly  look  this  lot  over  and  advise  us  as  to  what 
you  think  about  it  and  give  us  your  reasons  for  its  present 
state. 

Yours  truly,  (69) 

Mr.  J.  J.  SUNDERLAND, 

Manchester,  N.  H. 

Dear  Sir :  Your  favor  of  the  i3th  received  and  noted.  If 
you  can  sell  your  B  Super  at  a  price  which  will  make  it  cost 
not  more  than  33C.  scoured,  we  would  be  interested,  but  at 
anything  more  than  that  it  is  out  of  the  question  at  present. 
By  the  shrinkage  on  the  32  bags  bought  of  you  some  time 
ago  the  wool  would  have  to  sell  for  about  2$c.  in  the  grease. 

Yours  truly,  (82) 

THE  BOSTON  SCOURING  MILLS, 
Boston,  Mass. 

Gentlemen :  We  enclose  herewith  memorandum  of  numbers 
and  weights  of  17  bags  of  Fine  Shearlings  which  you  will 
please  mix  thoroughly  and  scour  and  carbonize  for  our 
account. 

Also  forward  by  Stonington  Line  to  New  York,  Lot  327, 
48  bags  scoured  A  Super,  sending  numbers  and  weights  to 
this  office,  and  oblige. 

Yours  truly,  (60) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  155 

Miscellaneous  Correspondence. 
Mr.  A.  MCDOWELL, 

Tioga,  111. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  recent  date  at  hand,  and  we  are 
pleased  to  hear  from  you.  We  enclose  you  circulars  explain- 
ing why  our  drafting  machine  is  far  ahead  of  an}-  other  so- 
called  system  of  cutting.  If  you  desire  you  can  get  it  on 
trial  for  thirty  days  by  filling  out  the  enclosed  order 
blank  properly  and  forwarding  it  to  us.  You  can  rest  assured 
if  the  system  did  not  give  perfect  satisfaction  we  would  not 
send  it  on  trial.  If  you  do  not  care  to  bother  to  have  it  sent 
on  thirty  days'  trial,  you  can  send  us  a  money  order  and  we 
will  ship  the  machine  at  once,  as  the  Excelsior  system  never 
fails  to  give  perfect  satisfaction. 

We  have  a  new  instruction  book  giving  advanced  lessons  in 
cutting,  and  we  will  send  you  one  of  these  free  of  charge, 
providing  you  return  this  letter  when  you  pay  for  the  drafting 
machine. 

Hoping  to  receive  your  order,  and  knowing  you  will  be 
well  pleased,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly>  (17S) 

Mr.  JAMES  R.  WIERS, 

San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Dear  Sir :  A  short  time  ago  we  wrote  you  regarding  our 
Chapman  Voltage  Regulator,  but  up  to  date  have  not  received 
a  reply,  so  again  take  the  liberty  of  bringing  the  matter  to 
your  notice. 

We  are  positive  you  will  derive  benefit  by  installing  one 
of  the  Voltage  Regulators  in  your  Station,  and  will  guarantee 
it  to  save  you  on  Lamp  Renewals,  as  it  decreases  the  burning 
out  of  lamps  ;  saves  power  and  labor ;  saves  the  expense  of 
an  attendant  at  the  Rheostat,  the  regulator  being  controlled 
automatically,  and  requires  no  attention  after  being  started  ; 
it  will  compensate  for  loss  in  line,  and  regulate  the  Voltage 
within  2  per  cent.,  with  a  variation  in  speed  of  50  per  cent., 
and  prevent  all  fluctuation  in  the  lights,  thus  insuring  you  a 
steady  light  and  enable  you  to  give  your  customers  better 
lighting  service.  We  are  positive  you  will  save  the  cost  of  a 
Regulator  in  from  6  to  8  months  on  Lamp  Renewals  alone, 
regardless  of  the  other  advantages  derived  from  the  use  of  the 
machine. 


156  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

As  we  have  proposed  before,  in  order  to  prove  the 
Regulator  will  do  all  we  say,  we  are  willing  to  install 
one  in  your  Station  on  30  days'  trial,  and  allow  you  the 
privilege  of  returning  it  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  if  it 
does  not  prove  satisfactory,  and  you  will  not  be  put  to  any 
expense  whatever,  either  for  the  Regulator  or  for  transporta- 
tion charges. 

Please  read  the  enclosed  extracts  from  letters  which  were 
written  to  a  prospective  purchaser,  by  some  of  the  users  of 
our  Voltage  Regulators.  Also  kindly  let  us  know  what  sizes 
in  K.  W.,  and  the  style  machines  you  are  using  in  your 
station  ;  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 

Awaiting  your  valued  favors,  which  will  receive  our  very 
best  attention,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly, 


Messrs.  H.  G.  HEENEY  &  Co., 
Orient,  la. 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  yours  of  the  1  7th  inst.  In  reply 
would  say  we  remember  receiving  some  news  items  about  the 
time  you  mention,  but  we  do  not  recall  any  requests  to  return 
same  if  not  used.  We  looked  them  over,  but  the  information 
they  contained  we  had  already  received  from  another  source. 
We  are  always  glad  to  receive  news  that  will  help  or  be  of 
interest  to  our  readers,  but,  as  stated  to  you  before,  we  do  not 
care  to  pay  two  parties  for  the  same  items.  So  far  as  we  have 
seen,  the  technical  and  trade  news  from  your  city  has  not 
been  of  a  character  to  encourage  us  to  look  for  much  in  that 
direction.  We  should  be  very  glad,  however,  to  be  proved 
mistaken  in  this  respect,  but  our  experience  has  been  the 
other  way. 

Your  name  has  been  on  our  mailing  list  for  some  time  past. 
We  have  had  more  or  less  correspondence  with  your  office  in 
regard  to  news  service,  and  you  have  several  times  sent  us 
contract  blank  to  be  filled  out,  but  this  we  have  repeatedly 
refused  to  do  until  we  could  see  something  of  the  character  of 
the  service  offered  us.  We  supposed  that  the  news  sent  us 
at  that  time  was  simply  in  response  to  these  letters  of  ours. 
We  have  no  regular  rate  per  column  for  news  of  the  kind  of 
which  you  speak. 

Trusting  this  explanation  will  be  satisfactory,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (253) 


DICTATION.  157 

Mr.  F.  GOLDMAN, 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir  :  Believing  that  our  Arithmachine  fills  the  long- 
felt  want  of  a  practical  computing  machine,  which  is  low  in 
price,  small  in  size  and  light  in  weight,  large  in  capacity, 
noiseless  in  operation,  and  which  answers  the  requirements 
of  business  and  professional  men  more  fully  than  any  other 
computing  device  known,  we  take  pleasure  in  extending  the 
following  offer  to  responsible  parties,  particularly  in  territory 
where  we  are  not  represented. 

On  receipt  of  the  appended  trial  order  blank,  properly 
signed,  and  accompanied  by  $i,  to  cover  expressage  and 
instruction  book,  which  may  be  retained,  we  will  send  one  of 
our  Arithmachines  on  ten  days'  trial  with  the  privilege  of 
accepting  it  at  the  expiration  of  the  trial  time,  by  remitting 
the  balance  due,  or  returning  by  express,  properly  protected, 
at  our  own  expense.  Hoping  to  hear  from  you  by  return 
mail,  which  will  enable  us  to  give  precedence  to  your  order, 
we  are, 

Very  truly  yours, 


Mr.  NOAH  PERKINS, 

Savannah,  Ga. 

Dear  Sir:  If  you  use  Syrup  for  any  purpose  whatever,  you 
unquestionably  want  the  best.  Genuine  Rock  Candy  Syrup  is 
superior  to  any  other  kind  ;  and  Dry  den  and  Palmer's  Triple 
Refined  Rock  Cand}7  Syrup  is  the  leading  brand.  It  is 
absolutely  pure,  as  heavy  as  pure  Syrup  can  be  held  in  solu- 
tion, while  it  is  clearer  and  whiter  than  any  other  Syrup  made. 
In  the  manufacture  of  Rock  Candy  and  Rock  Candy  Syrup 
we  use  a  sugar  which  is  specially  refined  for  us,  and  which  is 
free  from  ultramarine  blue.  This  is  a  substance  used  to 
whiten  granulated  sugar,  granulated  being  naturally  of  a 
yellowish  cast.  That  is  why  Syrup  made  from  it  is  off  color  — 
the  blue  does  not  whiten  the  Syrup,  even  if  it  does  cover  an 
imperfection"  in  the  sugar. 

If  you  have  never  used  D.  &  P.'s  Triple  Refined  Rock 
Candy  Syrup,  your  own  interests  demand  that  you  send  us  a 
trial  order.  If  you  are  acquainted  with  it,  why  buy  an  inferior 
brand  when  you  can  get  absolutely  the  finest  Syrup  made,  at 
the  same  or  lower  prices  ? 

Yours  very  truly,  (19°\ 


158          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  HERBERT  C.  WHITE, 

Jamestown,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  invite  your  careful  consideration  of  the 
exceptional  advantages  offered  by  the  Hall  Safe  Deposit 
Company,  prospectus  of  which  is  herewith  enclosed.  The 
vaults  of  this  Company  represent  the  latest  and  best  improve- 
ments of  the  times.  The  Safes  are  beautiful  in  finish,  and  are 
fitted  with  keys  or  combination  locks  as  desired. 

Special  vaults  have  been  provided  for  storage  of  silver- 
ware, plate  and  valuables.  The  Company  issues  its  Guarantee 
Certificate  insuring  the  contents  of  each  package  or  consign- 
ment, for  amount  of  owner's  estimate  of  value,  against  fire, 
burglary  or  theft. 

The  recent  disastrous  fire  at  the  Temple  Chambers 
demonstrated  the  advisability  of  providing  other  security  for 
valuable  papers  than  that  given  by  tin  boxes  or  office  safes. 

The  location  of  this  Company  being  such  as  to  be  easily 
accessible  by  you,  we  hope  to  be  favored  with  your  patronage. 

Yours  very  truly,  (148) 

THE  UNITED  STATES  PAPER  Co., 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Gentlemen  :  We  have  completed  our  line  of  Wall  Papers 
for  the  season  of  1900,  and  will  show  a  selection  which  will  be 
unusually  attractive  in  styles  and  prices.  As  the  assortment 
will  comprise  the  best  patterns  and  colorings  of  the  leading 
manufacturers,  we  will  be  able  to  offer  you  a  very  large 
variety  and  hope  we  can  make  it  to  your  interest  to  place  your 
orders  with  us. 

We  will  also  have  a  complete  line  of  Window  Shades  and 
Mouldings  representing  the  new  gocds  for  the  coming  season. 

Among  our  Mouldings,  we  have  a  number  of  exclusive 
patterns  which  are  made  especially  for  us,  and  which  in  color- 
ings and  designs  are  made  to  match  the  new  Wall  Papers. 

We  are  anxious  for  your  business,  and  although  our  sales- 
man has  called  on  you  in  the  past,  we  have  not  been  success- 
ful in  securing  a  share  of  your  patronage.  We  have  not  given 
your  name  to  our  salesman  this  season,  but  will  be  only  too 
glad  to  make  arrangements  to  have  him  call  on  you  at  an  early 
date  or  suiting  your  convenience,  if  you  will  favor  us  by  look- 
ing over  our  line,  or  if  there  is  a  prospect  of  securing  an  order. 

Hoping  to  be  favored  with  an  early  reply,  we  remain, 

Yours  very  truly,  (221) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  159 

Mr.  DAVID  L.  STAFFORD, 

Beverly,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir:  I  take  pleasure  in  announcing  the  publication  of 
an  etched  portrait  of  the  Rev.  Timothy  Dwight,  D.D.,  LL.  D., 
President  of  Yale  University,  of  which  you  are,  I  believe,  an 
alumnus. 

The  artist,  James  S.  King,  the  foremost  portrait  etcher  of 
America,  has  succeeded  in  producing  a  portrait  of  great 
artistic  excellence,  as  well  as  a  faithful  likeness  of  the 
distinguished  scholar  and  educator. 

The  enthusiastic  favor  with  which  the  etched  portraits  I 
have  published  have  always  been  received  by  the  lovers  of 
this  beautiful  and  difficult  art,  will  not,  I  am  sure,  be 
diminished  by  this  my  latest  production. 

The  portrait  will  take  high  rank  in  the  gallery  of  famous 
Americans,  which  it  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  produce, 
and  will,  I  feel,  be  most  acceptable  to  every  graduate  of  Yale 
University,  not  only  as  a  work  of  art,  but  also  as  a  pleasing 
memorial  of  happy  student  days  in  that  remarkable  institution 
of  learning. 

Dr.  Dwight  kindly  consents  to  autograph  a  limited  number 
of  proofs,  thereby  giving  additional  interest  and  value  to  the 
portrait. 

Enclosed  I  hand  you  a  half-tone  reduction,  which  will  give 
you  some  idea  of  the  character  of  the  portrait. 

I  will  be  pleased  to  receive  your  order  for  the  same. 

Very  truly  yours,  (22 1 ) 

Mr.  JOHN  ROBINSON, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

My  dear  Sir  :  Having  been  informed  that  you  have  been 
kind  enough  to  speak  favorably  of  me  as  a  candidate  for 
election  to  the  House  of  Representatives  from  the  fourteenth 
Congressional  District,  I  wish  to  say  to  you  that  I  am  very 
grateful  for  the  good  opinion  of  me  that  you  have  expressed. 

My  canvass  is  made  easy  for  me  to  carry  on  by  the  impulse 
of  kind  words  uttered  by  men  like  yourself. 

Should  you  be  in  the  vicinity  of  these  headquarters,  I  would 
be  pleased  to  have  you  call  upon  me  personally,  so  that  I 
might  say  to  you  that  which  I  now  write. 

Earnestly  yours,  ( 1 1 5) 


l6o          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  L.  F.  SHAFER  &  Co., 
Lewisburg,  Pa. 

Gentlemen  :  The  best  evidence  of  the  merits  of  an  article  is 
the  growth  of  its  sales. 

The  increase  in  the  consumption  of  Cocoa  and  Chocolate  in 
Europe  during  1899  was  30  per  cent. 

During  the  same  year  the  increase  in  the  United  States 
was  56,562  bags,  or  40  per  cent. 

For  the  same  period  the  actual  increase  in  our  Cocoa  and 
Chocolate  business  amounted  to  the  startling  figures  of  One 
Hundred  and  Sixty-one  per  cent. — four  times  greater  than 
the  average  of  all  the  Chocolate  manufactures  in  the  United 
States. 

Our  sales  of  Fountain  Chocolate  alone,  since  January  ist, 
IQOO,  show  an  increase  of  exactly  197  per  cent. — almost  three 
times  as  much  as  our  phenomenal  sales  for  the  same  period 
of  last  year. 

This  marvelous  increase  is  due  solely  to  the  fact  that  we 
manufacture  the  finest  Chocolate  for  soda  fountain  use,  and 
that  dispensers  are  finding  it  out. 

Even  those  who,  as  a  matter  of  good  business  policy,  have 
always  used  high-priced  Chocolate  at  their  fountains,  experi- 
ence a  wonderful  increase  in  their  sales  of  Chocolate  Soda 
immediately  after  starting  to  use  our  Fountain  Chocolate. 

If  you  wish  to  send  an  order  under  our  guarantee  that  the 
Chocolate  is  superior  to  any  other  for  fountain  use  or  return- 
able at  our  expense,  please  address  us  direct,  or  send  to  our 
nearest  distributing  agency.  See  the  price  list  enclosed. 

Let  us  also  quote  you  the  price  of  our  Unmanipulated  Rock 
Candy  Syrup.  We  will  explain  why  that  too  is  the  best. 

Yours  truly,  (2S4) 

Messrs.  DINNER  &  Co., 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen :  We  ask  a  favor.  We  are  making  a  modern 
marking  medium  which  will  enable  you  to  mark  or  stencil 
your  goods  perfectly,  economically  and  with  a  quickness  and 
cleanliness  never  before  attempted.  We  want  to  be  allowed 
to  send  you  a  "  can  of  evidence  "  free,  which  proves  we  do 
not  fear  the  result  of  a  trial,  but  believe  one  trial  will  insure 
its  future  use.  The  enclosed  booklet  tells  what  it  is,  and  a 
postal  card  to  us  will  promptly  bring  you  a  free  sample. 

Yours  truly,  (94) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  I  6  I 

Mr.  R.  J.  BORMAY, 

New  York  City. 

Dear  Sir:  We  respectfully  beg  to  inform  you  that  on  May 
ist  we  will  open  the  premises,  226  East  2ooth  Street,  between 
Broadway  and  Fourth  Avenue,  to  be  known  as  the  "  Poplars," 
as  a  thoroughly  First-class  Ladies'  and  Gentlemen's  Cafe  and 
Restaurant.  A  private  dining  room  has  been  reserved  for 
ladies,  and  every  care  will  be  directed  to  the  comfort  of  guests. 

The  Cafe  will  be  stocked  with  the  finest  brands  of  Liquors 
and  Cigars,  and  a  feature  made. of  the  Gentlemen's  Lunch 
Room  in  the  Cafe  proper,  while  above  the  Cafe  will  be  found 
the  Dining  Room  for  Ladies  and  Gentlemen. 

The  Cuisine  will  be  of  the  very  best,  and  under  the  able 
management  of  Mr.  Ernest  James,  late  with  Horace  T. 
Davison. 

Trusting  to  have  the  honor  of  your  patronage,  and  pledging 
our  most  careful  endeavor  to  please, 

Yours  very  truly,  (147) 

Mrs.  C.  L.  ENTZ, 

Richmond,  Va. 

Dear  Madam :  We  take  pleasure  in  calling  your  personal 
attention  to  the  new  Harper's  "  Bazar,"  to  be  published  from 
May  5th,  1900,  as  a  weekly  magazine. 

Harpers  "  Bazar  "  has  been  for  thirty-three  years  the  most 
dignified  American  periodical  for  women.  It  will  be  henceforth 
the  most  interesting,  the  most  brilliant,  and  most  up-to-date 
woman's  publication  in  the  world.  No  effort  will  be  spared 
to  make  it  a  necessity  to  every  intelligent  American  woman. 
We  enclose  a  prospectus  with  detailed  outline  of  our  plans. 

To  introduce  the  "  Bazar  "  in  its  new  form,  we  are  making 
the  following  special  offers : 

We  will  send  you  Harper's  "Bazar"  from  May  5th,  1900, 
to  Jan.  ist,  1901  (eight  months),  for  $2.00.  (Regular  price, 
$4.00  a  year.) 

We  will  send  you  four  copies  of  the  " Bazar"  for  25  cents. 
— the  issues  of  May  5th,  i2th,  igth,  and  26th.  (Regular  price, 
ice.  a  copy.) 

We  enclose  a  coin  card  in  which  you  may  safely  send  a  two 
dollar  bill  or  25  cents. 

We  know  the  "  Bazar  "  will  please  you,  and  we  confidently 
await  your  subscription. 

Yours  very  truly,  (187) 

//  D.  B. 


162  TWENTIETH   CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  B.  W.  BAINS, 

Warren,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  your  postal  of  the  igth  inst,  I  beg  to 
send  you  under  separate  cover  illustrated  catalogue  of  self- 
winding clocks.  From  the  price  list  enclosed  herewith,  we 
will  be  pleased  to  allow  you  a  discount  of  10  per  cent.,  terms 
net  cash,  F.  O.  B.,  Brooklyn. 

In  the  event  of  your  not  seeing  the  style  of  clock  desired  in 
the  catalogue  which  we  have  sent  you,  please  write  more  fully 
giving  detailed  information,  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  com- 
municate with  you  further. 

Thinking  that  possibly  you  may  wish  to  rent  one  of  our 
clocks  in  connection  with  the  Western  Union  Time  Service, 
we  are  also  sending  you  a  copy  of  our  rental  catalogue,  on 
the  second  page  of  which  you  will  notice  our  schedule  of  rates. 
Should  you  be  able  to  select  from  this  catalogue  a  clock  that 
will  meet  your  ideas,  kindly  so  indicate  on  the  enclosed  appli- 
cation for  time  service  and  return  same  to  us,  and  we  will  see 
that  the  clock  is  installed  by  the  Western  Union  Company. 

Very  truly  yours,  (J86) 

Mr.  NOLAN  J.  CRAMP, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  We  had  a  most  gratifying  meeting  of  the  Advisory 
Committee  at  Mr.  Stern's  house  on  the  ist  inst.,  and  regretted 
exceedingly  that  you  were  not  able  to  be  with  us. 

We  hope  to  be  more  fortunate  at  the  second  meeting  of  the 
Advisory  Committee,  which  you  are  invited  to  attend,  and 
which  will  be  held  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Horace  Cooper, 
No.  127  W.  79th  Street,  on  Thursday  next,  the  i5th  inst,  at 
8.15  p.m. 

It  would  afford  me  much  pleasure  to  see  you  on  that 
occasion. 

Yours  truly,  (99) 

THE  UNITED  STATES  CASUALTY  Co., 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Gentlemen  :  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  very  kind  favor  of  the 
24th,  enclosing  draft  for  Five  Thousand  Dollars  ($5,000)  the 
full  death  benefit  on  Personal  Accident  Policy  No.  7537  held  by 
my  father,  the  late  Charles  Tobin,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  who  met 
with  accidental  death  on  Sunday,  June  15,  1899. 

I  deem  it  but  fair  to  you  to  acknowledge  my  appreciation 


BUSINESS   DICTATION.  163 

of  your  promptness  in  paying  this  claim,  and  the  entire  absence 
of  any  red  tape  on  your  part. 

As  stated  above,  the  accident  occurred  on  the  i5th,  your 
agent  was  notified  on  the  i8th,  formal  written  notice  was 
mailed  to  your  office  on  the  ipth,  final  proof  papers  were 
mailed  to  you  on  the  2ist,  and  your  draft  for  the  full  amount 
was  mailed  on  the  24th. 

Please  accept  my  sincere  thanks,  not  only  for  the  draft,  but 
for  the  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  which  your  agent  and 
the  officers  of  your  Company  have  extended  to  me  in  the 
entire  matter. 

Yours  respectfully,  ( '  7  - ) 

Mrs.  C.  B.  MORTON, 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Madam  :  On  and  after  this  date  we  will  begin  to  close 
out*  at  retail  our  entire  line  of  1899  samples  of  high  grade 
Utopian  Art  Pottery,  Lamps,  Jardinieres,  Pedestals,  Bric-a- 
brac,  etc.,  the  exclusiveness  and  individuality  of  which  are  no 
doubt  familiar  to  you.  They  must  be  sold  by  January  ist 
next. 

We  are  manufacturers  and  do  no  retailing  except  at  this 
time  to  dispose  of  samples,  and  the  opportunity  thus  afforded 
you  to  obtain  Christmas.  Wedding  and  Birthday  Gifts  at 
manufacturer's  prices  should  command  your  attention.  It 
should  prompt  you  to  make  purchases  now,  for  even  remote 
occasions,  as  the  chance  will  not  come  again  in  a  twelve- 
month. 

For  your  convenience  we  will  remain  open  until  nine  o'clock 
each  evening.  Assuring  you  that  your  commands  will  have 
our  closest  attention,  we  remain, 

Yours  truly,  (X40 

Messrs.  JOHN  TRIMBLE  &5oNS, 
Lancaster,  Pa. 

Gentlemen  :  We  desire  to  inform  you  that  we  have  removed 
our  coal  and  wood  business  from  foot  of  E.  8oth  Street  to 
larger  and  more  commodious  quarters  at  502  to  510  E.  8oth 
Street,  where  with  increased  facilities  for  handling  and 
storing  coal,  we  are  now  prepared  to  execute  all  orders  with 
promptness  at  the  lowest  prevailing  prices.  Scranton  White 
Ash  and  Neilson  Red  Ash  are  our  specialities. 

Respectfully  soliciting  your  patronage,  we  are, 

Very  truly  yours,  (83) 


164          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Mr.  J.  B.  BARRETT, 

Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir:  Oftentimes  people  are  placed  in  a  position  where 
a  little  financial  help  will  be  of  great  assistance  and  they  do 
not  wish  to  borrow  of  friends  for  various  reasons.  We  can 
help  you  in  such  an  event,  as  it  is  our  special  purpose  to 
procure  loans  for  reputable  high-class  people  whose  word  and 
promise  is  a  sufficient  guarantee  of  prompt  payment.  All  our 
transactions  are  strictly  confidential,  and  our  customers'  names 
are  never  known  to  anyone.  We  act  in  as  confidential  a 
capacity  toward  our  clients  as  exists  between  lawyers  and 
doctors  and  their  clients. 

Our  suite  of  private  offices  are  located  in  the  business  part 
of  the  city,  and  at  the  same  time  are  so  private  and  seclusivc 
that  no  one  can  know  the  name  of  a  single  customer  nor  his 
business  in  our  office. 

Among  our  clients  we  have  men  holding  high  and 
responsible  positions  of  trust  and  profit  in  the  highest  and 
most  prominent  institutions  in  the  United  States,  and  we 
desire  to  extend  our  line  of  business  in  that  direction.  Should 
you  desire  a  loan  at  any  time  we  will  be  pleased  to  negotiate 
the  same  for  you  on  reasonable  terms.  We  would  be  glad  to 
confer  with  you  at  any  time  at  our  offices. 

Respectfully  yours,  (212) 

Mr.  GEO.  WILSON, 

Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir  :  On  the  2d  inst,  we  wrote  you  in  reference  to  the 
bond  to  be  filed  by  manufacturers  of  silverware,  and  whole- 
sale or  retail  dealers  in  silverware,  with  the  Secretary  of  State 
of  the  State  of  New  York.  With  that  letter  we  enclosed  to 
you  an  application  for  bond  to  be  filled  and  returned  to  us  by 
you.  Since  then  writing  you  we  have  executed  bonds  for 
nearly  all  the  large  dealers  in  silverware  in  this  city,  as  well 
as  for  many  of  the  leading  manufacturers  throughout  the 
country  who  sell  silverware  in  this  State. 

We  suggest  that  you  will  find  it  to  the  interest  of  your 
business  to  file  your  bond  at  the  earliest  possible  date.  We 
are  sure  you  will  find  the  premium  we  have  quoted  you  so 
low  as  to  induce  you  to. have  us  write  3rour  bond  rather  than 
put  yourself  under  obligation  to  personal  sureties. 

Assuring  you  of  a  due  appreciation  of  your  favor,  we  are, 

Yours  truly,  (179) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  1^5 

Mr.  JOHN  CHRISTIE, 

Utica,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  beg  to  hand  you,  under  separate  cover,  a 
copy  of  the  second  edition  of  our  catalogue  of  supplies  used 
in  brewers'  testing  laboratories.  We  shall  appreciate  your 
acknowledgment  of  receipt  of  same,  and  will  gladly  send  you, 
on  request,  catalogue  of  chemicals  made  by  Koenig,  of 
Leipsic,  whom  we  represent,  or  give  detailed  information  in 
regard  to  any  form  of  apparatus. 

The  success  that  has  come  to  us  during  the  years  we  have 
made  a  speciality  of  scientific  apparatus  and  chemicals  for 
brewers'  use,  gives  us  confidence  in  our  ability  to  supply  you 
promptly  the  satisfactory  grade  of  goods  you  require. 

We  call  your  special  attention  to  our  Normal  Saccharometer 
No.  B  245n.  This  is  not  a  cheap  instrument,  but  of  standard 
German  make,  and  guaranteed  to  be  correct. 

We  hope  to  receive  your  orders,  and  shall  at  all  times 
endeavor  to  serve  you  in  such  manner  as  to  command  your 
further  patronage. 

Yours  truly,  (165) 

Mr.  A.  W.  WALKER, 

Toronto,  Canada. 

Dear  Sir  :  On  the  27th  ult.  you  asked  us  for  our  catalogue. 
We  sent  it  to  you  immediately.  If  you  did  not  receive  it, 
inform  us  and  we  will  gladly  send  another.  If  you  have 
received  it,  possibly  the  card  system  appears  complicated, 
and  you  are  afraid  the  labor  of  maintaining  it  will  not  recom- 
pense you  for  the  expense.  This  is  not  true.  The  card 
system  is  not  complicated.  It  is  not  difficult  to  maintain  or 
to  apply  it  to  your  work.  Look  over  your  present  book 
systems,  remembering  that  books  are  absolutely  unchange- 
able and  confined  between  two  covers,  but  that  card  s3Tsterns 
may  be  arranged  and  re-arranged,  classified  and  re-classified, 
indexed  and  re-indexed,  expanded,  contracted,  and  freed  from 
useless  matter.  Note  how  many  of  the  records  you  are  keep- 
ing in  books  would  be  of  so  much  more  help  if  arranged  on 
cards,  and  how  many  records  that  you  have  been  discouraged 
from  keeping  in  books  could  be  successfully  arranged  on  cards 
and  be  of  help  to  you.  Apply  the  card  system  for  one  class 
of  your  records,  and  you  will  realize  how  expensive  it  is  to 
be  ignorant  of  its  advantages,  and  that  it  is  an  expensive 
economy  to  do  without  it. 


1 66  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

We  offer  you  the  assistance  of  our  experience  gained  in 
adapting  the  system  to  meet  requirements  similar  to  yours. 
We  show  our  confidence  in  our  system  and  our  goods  in 
offering  to  take  back  any  goods  of  our  manufacture  that  do 
not  meet  the  purchaser's  highest  anticipations.  As  we  are  so 
thoroughly  in  earnest,  and  offer  you  every  possible  induce- 
ment to  begin  the  use  of  our  card  system,  may  we  not  at 
least  have  your  reply  ? 

Yours  truly,  (287) 

Mr.  E.  B.  MOORE, 

Boston,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir :  Inviting  your  account,  I  beg  to  hand  you  here- 
with the  enclosed  pamphlet  and  to  refer  you  to  the  statement 
of  the  bank's  condition  on  the  ist  hist.,  to  the  arrangements 
of  the  various  departments,  and  to  the  security  and  attrac- 
tiveness of  the  Safe  Deposit  Vaults,  the  entrance  to  which  is 
through  the  bank.  The  vaults  are  the  most  improved  in 
design  and  of  the  latest  construction.  Boxes  are  rented  at 
reduced  rates  to  those  having  accounts  with  the  bank. 

The  Bank's  polic}'  has  been  to  present  every  convenience 
and  to  facilitate  in  every  way  the  business  of  its  depositors. 
The  Park  Street  Branch,  which  will  be  open  to  receive 
accounts  about  the  ist  of  December,  will  be  prepared  to 
extend  the  same  courtesies.  Hoping  to  be  favored  by  your 
account,  I  am, 

Very  truly  yours,  (143) 

Mr.  FRANK  MILLS, 

Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sir :  We  take  pleasure  in  enclosing  herewith  a 
pamphlet  treating  of  the  Pianola.  We  feel  that  this  new 
piano  player  is  of  universal  interest  to  all  music  lovers, 
in  that  it  brings  practically  the  entire  list  of  piano  music 
within  the  reach  of  all  and  renders  it  instantly  available  at 
any  time.  Furthermore  it  is  musically  artistic,  and  through 
its  achievements  in  this  line  has  won  a  distinctive  place  in 
the  musical  world.  We  urge  that  you  read  this  pamphlet, 
feeling  confident  that  its  contents  will  interest  you,  and  we 
shall  be  pleased  to  have  you  call  and  hear  the  instruments, 
thereby  receiving  a  practical  demonstration.  Our  instruments 
are  gladly  shown  to  the  merely  curious  as  well  as  to  intending 
purchasers. 

Respectfully  yours,  (I29) 


BUSINESS    DICTATION.  10; 

Mr.  W.  A.  CRAWFORD, 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  prepared  a  correct  list  giving  county, 
grade,  name  and  address  of  every  teacher,  county  examiner, 
city  superintendent  and  principal  in  this  state.  There  arc- 
about  6,000  of  these  teachers.  It  is  an  educational  directory 
of  the  State  of  Arkansas.  The  addresses  given  ai  e  the  very 
latest. 

This  is  a  most  valuable  list  for  a  house  desiring  agents  and 
those  wishing  to  introduce  new  books  and  periodicals.  It  is 
also  very  valuable  to  schools  and  school  agencies. 

I  have  been  at  great  expense,  used  much  care,  and  have 
done  a  great  amount  of  work  outside  of  office  hours  to  com- 
plete this  directory,  and  believe  I  ought  to  receive  some  return 
for  it.  If  you  desire  such  a  list  please  let  me  hear  from  you. 
It  is  now  ready  to  mail  and  I  will  let  you  have  it  for  $10. 

Yours  truly,  ( 1 5 1 ) 

Messrs.  JAMES  HOAG  &  Co., 
Newark,  N.  J. 

Gentlemen  :  We  are  preparing  for  publication,  within  a  few 
weeks,  the  special  souvenir  issue  of  "  School,"  which,  in 
addition  to  the  regular  circulation  among  teachers  and  school 
officials  of  Greater  New  York  and  the  Metropolitan  District, 
the  Public  Libraries  and  Boards  of  Education  in  the  United 
States,  will  reach  the  teachers  attending  the  State  Teachers' 
Convention,  held  at  The  Thousand  Islands  from  July  5th  to 
7th,  and  the  National  Teachers' Association,  held  in  Charleston 
from  July  yth  to  i3th,  and  to  private  and  public  schools  all 
over  the  country. 

This  issue  will  be  of  special  interest  to  publishers  of  text 
and  library  books  and  manufacturers  of  school  supplies. 
Orders  for  the  same  are  made  on  the  Boards  of  Education 
prior  to  July  ist. 

Our  advertising  rates  in  this  number  are  from  $2.50  to  $3.50 
per  column  inch.  For  advertising  covering  a  quarter  page  or 
more,  special  discounts  will  be  made.  Copy  for  advertising 
space  should  be  sent  early,  so  that  we  may  return  you  a  proof 
of  the  same.  Any  correspondence  in  relation  to  advertising 
will  be  given  careful  attention. 

Trusting  to  hear  from  you,  we  are. 

Yours  very  truly, 


1 68          TWENTIETH    CENTURY   BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Messrs.  J.  H.  PAIN  &  Co., 

New  Haven,  Conn. 

Gentlemen  :  We  desire  to  advise  you  that  owing  to  the 
destruction  of  the  building,  31  and  33  Broad  Street,  we  have 
been  forced  to  remove  from  our  famous  old  stand  to  a  short 
distance  away,  70  and  72  Broad  Street,  corner  of  Beaver, 
where  we  will  remain,  pending  the  erection  of  the  building  on 
the  old  site. 

We  would  ask  the  indulgence  of  our  customers  for  any 
delays  which  may  occur  for  a  short  time.  The  notice  to 
remove  which  we  received  was  too  short  to  allow  us  to  make 
our  removal  by  degrees  as  we  desired.  Our  Printing  Office 
and  Bindery  have  not  been  removed,  so  there  will  be  no  delay 
in  that  part  of  our  business.  Our  telephone  number  will 
remain  the  same,  No.  378  Broad. 

Hoping  you  will  continue  to  favor  us  with  your  kind  pr.t- 
ronage,  and  wishing  to  see  you  at  our  new  office,  we  are, 

Yours  very  truly,  ( 1 60) 

Messrs.  T.  H.  HAMMOND  &  Co., 
Greenwood,  Ark. 

Dear  Sirs:  The  goods  as  per  invoice  of  Nov.  i8th  arrived 
yesterday  in  excellent  condition,  and  we  are  pleased  to  find 
them  satisfactory  in  all  respects.  We  beg  to  thank  you  for 
the  good  judgment  you  have  brought  to  bear  in  selecting  the 
goods,  displaying  a  very  correct  estimate  of  the  styles  and 
patterns  suitable  for  our  market.  We  hope  that  you  will 
continue  in  the  future  to  bestow  the  same  care  and  discrimin- 
ation in  the  way  of  selection  and  packing,  as  you  have  done 
in  this  instance. 

Yours  respectfully,  (10°) 

Messrs.  E.  E.  SHIELDS  &  SONS, 
Columbus,  O. 

Gentlemen :  Your  postal  of  the  28th  received,  in  which  you 
ask  us  to  ship  you  20  boxes  Blue  Label  Spices,  10  Ibs.  each, 
but  you  omit  to  state  how  you  wish  the  20  boxes  divided,  that 
is,  in  how  many  different  kind  of  spices.  We  will  only  be  too 
glad  to  forward  your  order  if  you  will  kindly  advise  us  how 
to  divide  up  the  20  boxes,  or  shall  we  duplicate  your  last 
order,  which  was  for  12  boxes  of  pepper,  6  of  ginger,  6  of 
cinnamon,  6  of  allspice,  6  of  mustard. 

Your  early  reply  will  insure  prompt  shipment. 

Very  truly  yours,  ( 1 1 1) 


PART    H. 

LEGAL   FORMS. 

MISCELLANEOUS  SELECTIONS. 

SHORT  TALKS   WITH   THE  AMANUENSIS. 

PRACTICAL   TALKS. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  17 

LEGAL    FORMS,* 

By  HENRY  W.  THORNE, 

Counselor-at-Law  and  Official  Court  Stenographer,  Johnstown.  N.Y. 


A  law  stenographer  must  possess  expertness  in  writing  and 
reading  shorthand.  This  can  only  be  attained  by  regular  and 
prolonged  practice.  Knowledge  of  correct  phonographic  out- 
lines is  not,  alone,  sufficient.  Such  a  one  must  understand 
the  meaning  of  the  subject-matter  reported.  This  conduces 
to  speed  of  writing,  and  is  absolutely  necessary  to  impromptu 
reading  of  rapidly  written  notes. 

While  writing  from  dictation  is  the  most  practicable  method 
of  gaining  stenographic  speed,  yet  the  learner  should  not 
restrict  himself  to  that.  He  should  attempt  to  report  all 
kinds  of  human  utterance  :  speeches,  sermons,  public  meetings, 
judicial  proceedings,  conversations,  etc. 

The  best  rate  of  dictation  is  that  which  forces  the  writer  to 
the  highest  speed  at  which  distinct  outlines  can  be  formed. 
When  following  a  speaker,  for  practice,  writing  beyond  legible 
speed  should  not  be  tried.  Better  omit  portions  than  strive  to 
catch  every  word  and  thereby  risk  acquiring  a  sprawling  style 
of  shorthand. 

Small  characters,  compactly  written,  are  preferable  to  their 
opposites,  are  easier  to  read,  and  conduce  to  speed. 

Practice  notes  should  be  transcribed,  and  the  transcript 
carefully  compared  with  the  original,  when  possible.  All 
shorthand  made  by  the  learner  should  be  repeatedly  read, 
doubtful  outlines  assiduously  studied  and  deciphered,  and 
erroneous  ones  corrected  and  memorized. 

Law  stenographers,  especially  those  employed  in  court 
before  juries,  should  be  able  to  instantly  refer  to,  and  read 
without  balk  or  hitch,  any  part  of  the  notes  of  a  trial.  Some- 
times, it  is  necessary  to  read  to  the  jury  large  portions  of 
hastily  written  notes  of  testimony. 

*  Also  published  separately  in  pamphlet  form,  consisting  of  40  pages  in 
cover.  Price  25  cents 


17?  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Most  stenographers  use  pen  and  ink  for  law  reporting.  At 
least  two  reasons  for  this  usage  exist :  First,  shorthand  notes 
of  judicial  proceedings  are  required,  by  law,  to  be  preserved 
for  a  specified  period ;  these  constitute  an  official  record,  and 
this  should  be  durably  made;  ink,  better  than  pencil,  notes 
meet  this  requirement ;  second,  the  gliding  of  a  gold  pen  over 
properly  finished  paper  is  supposed  to  create  the  minimum 
degree  of  friction  ;  and,  third,  greater  manual  dexterity  is 
believed  to  be  possible  with  a  flexible  gold  pen  than  with  any 
other  writing  implement.  A  "  light  hand " — that  is  the 
application  of  the  least  possible  pressure — in  the  making  of 
the  mystic  strokes,  circles,  dots  and  dashes,  is  generally  con- 
ceded to  be  favorable  to  increase  of  speed,  and  a  deterrent  to 
so-called  pen-paralysis,  or  writer's  cramp. 

The  majority  of  law  reporters  use  specially  prepared 
reporting  paper,  with  marginal  and  horizontal  ruling.  A 
few  refuse  to  use  any  but  unruled  paper.  A  great  many 
practitioners  use  loose  sheets  of  reporting  paper,  while  others 
prefer  bound  reporting  note-books.*  Law-office  amanuenses 
universally  use  the  latter.  One  advantage  of  unbound  sheets 
is  that  the  notes  comprising  each  case,  may,  at  its  conclusion, 
be  fastened  together  in  book-form,  properly  endorsed  and 
filed  away  for  preservation.  In  case  the  reporter  desire  to 
dictate  to  more  than  one  amanuensis  from  different  parts  of 
his  notes,  loose  sheets  are  more  convenient. 

Experienced  law  stenographers  use  few  phrases.  These 
seldom  exceed  three  words.  The  phrasing  principle  is  usually 
limited  to  what  is  known  as  "natural"  phrases,  which,  broadly 
speaking,  means  combinations  of  such  words  as  are  frequently 
grouped  in  ordinary  speech. 

Special  phrases  are  sometimes  adopted.  These  grow  out 
of  the  peculiar  nature  of  the  subject-matter  reported,  For 
instance,  in  legal  form  No.  25,  the  phrase  "liquor-tax-law" 
was  coined  for  that  particular  case.  It  would,  undoubtedly, 
be  legible  in  that  case,  while  in  general  use  it  might  not 
be  decipherable. 

Names  of  persons  and  places  when  first  occurring  should 
be  written  in  longhand  if  time  permit ;  if  not,  in  shorthand, 
and  then  in  longhand  at  the  first  opportunity.  Thereafter, 
they  may  be  written  in  shorthand.  This  applies  to  the  names 

*  Pitman's  Elastic-back  Note-Book,  No.  5.  Officially  used  in  the  courts 
of  New  York  and  Brooklyn.  See  page  8  of  catalogue  at  end  of  this  book. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  173 

of  witnesses  when  called  and  sworn.  These  should  be 
written  in  longhand,  followed  by  the  words  (in  shorthand) 
"for  plaintiff"  or  "defendant,"  as  the  case  may  be,  but,  at  all 
events,  designating  the  party  in  whose  behalf  the  witness  is 
sworn. 

No  system  of  shorthand  numerals  has  yet  been  devised 
which  has  given  universal  satisfaction.  While,  in  some 
instances,  law  reporters  have  successfully  utilized  shorthand 
for  this  purpose,  yet  the  Arabic  figures  continue  prime 
favorites.  The  latter  are  often  helpful  in  finding  desired  parts 
of  testimony.  In  a  mass  of  shorthand  characters,  they  are 
conspicuous  markers  of  particular  sections  of  the  examination 
of  witnesses. 

Exhibits  are  documents  and  things  produced  in  court,  some- 
times merely  for  the  purpose  of  identification,  but,  usually,  to 
be  offered  in  evidence  by  litigants.  They  may  range  from  a 
simple  receipt  for  money  paid  to  the  elaborate  and  intricate 
model  of  a  railway  locomotive.  They  take  the  name  of  the 
party  who  offers  them  in  evidence,  as  "Pl'ft's  Ex.  A.,"  "Def't's 
Ex.  No.  i,"  and  are  marked  accordingly,  the  word  "exhibit" 
being  shortened  to  "  Ex." 

It  is  customary  for  referees,  in  proceedings  before  them,  to 
mark  the  exhibits,  while  upon  trials  in  court,  before  judge  and 
jury,  this  duty  devolves  upon  the  stenographer. l 

Some  stenographers  mark  all  exhibits  offered  in  evidence  by 
the  plaintiff,  alphabetically,  as  "  PPff's  Ex.  A.,"  etc.,  and  those 
offered  by  the  defendant,  numerically,  as  "  Deft's  Ex.  No.  i," 
etc. ;  while  others  mark  all  exhibits,  by  whomsoever  introduced, 
by  numbers,  commencing  the  first  with  "  Ex.  i  "  and  continuing 
consecutively  with  succeeding  exhibits.  Legal  Form,  No.  27, 
exemplifies  the  method  of  doing  this. 

Rubber  stamps,  containing  everything  necessary  to  place 
upon  the  exhibit,  except  its  letter  or  number,  are  sometimes 
used.  This  constitutes  a  time  and  labor-saving  device. 

A  temporary  index  of  the  lettering  or  numbering  (or  both), 
of  exhibits,  and  of  the  numbers  of  the  pages  at  which  the 
various  examinations  of  witnesses  commence,  is  a  valuable 
aid  to  promptly  finding  parts  of  the  proceedings  called  for 
during  a  trial. 

1  On  this  subject,  and  method  adopted  in  a  celebrated  case  where  exhibits 
were  numerous,  see  article  by  Prof.  Brophy — page  75,  Report  of  New 
York  State  Stenographers'  Association  for  1900. 


174          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Class  i. — Miscellaneous   Legal  Documents. 

Affidavit. 

(No.  i.) 

State  of  New  York      )  sg 
County  of  New  York  j 

John  Spencer,  being  duly  sworn,  deposes  and  says :  That 
on  the  fourth  day  of  April,  1895,  he  resided  at  the  City  of 
Johnstown,  in  said  State,  and  that  at  that  time  one  Thomas 
Case  also  resided  at  said  City.  Deponent  further  says  :  That 
he  was  well  acquainted  with  said  Case  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  day  aforesaid  ;  that  previous  to 
that  time,  the  said  Case  informed  this  deponent  that  he,  said 
Case,  was  the  only  son  of  Joseph  Case,  of  Milwaukee,  in  the 
State  of  Wisconsin.  Deponent  further  says  :  That  said  Case, 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  about  forty  years  old  ;  that  said 
Case  had  light  hair  and  eyes  and  weighed  about  one  hundred 
and  eighty  pounds.  Deponent  further  says  :  That  he  is  ready 
to  testify  to  the  foregoing  matters  whenever  called  upon  to  do 
so ;  that  deponent's  age  is  seventy-three  and  that  he  now 
resides  at  New  Rochelle  in  said  State  of  New  York. 
Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  }  re 

me,  this  6th  day  of  April,  1898.  f 
JOHN  NOWILL, 

Notary  Public, 

New  York  County,  N.  Y. 

Certificate  of  Acknowledgment— New  York. 

(No.  2.) 

State  of  New  York     \ 
County  of  New  York/5' 

On  this  sixth  day  of  January,  one  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  one,  before  me,  the  subscriber,  personally  came  Henry 
Harrison,  George  Morse  and  James  Johnson,  to  me  known, 
and  known  to  me  to  be  the  same  persons  described  in,  and 
who  executed,  the  within  [or  foregoing]  instrument,  and  they 
severally  acknowledged  that  they  executed  the  same. 
WILLIAM  H.  DUNLOP, 
Notary  Public, 

New  York  County,  N.  Y. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  1/5 

Will. 
(No.  3.) 

IN  THE  NAME  OF  GOD,  AMEN.  I,  Sophia  Rosamond,  of  the 
Village  of  Greenpoint,  in  the  County  of  Sullivan,  and  State  of 
New  York,  widow,  of  the  age  of  forty  years  and  upwards,  and 
being  of  sound,  disposing  mind  and  memory,  do  hereby  make, 
publish  and  declare  this  to  be  my  last  will  and  testament,  that 
is  to  say : 

FIRST.  I  direct  that  all  my  just  debts  and  funeral  expenses 
be  first  paid  and  fully  satisfied. 

SECOND.  I  give  and  devise  the  real  property,  now  occupied 
by  me  as  my  present  residence,  unto  my  beloved  son,  John 
Rosamond,  absolutely  and  forever, 

THIRD.  I  give,  devise  and  bequeath  all  the  rest,  residue 
and  remainder  of  my  estate,  both  real  and  personal,  of  every 
name  and  nature,  and  wheresoever  situate,  unto  my  son, 
Charles  Rosamond,  of  St.  Johnsville,  Montgomery  County, 
N.  Y. 

LASTLY,  I  nominate,  constitute  and  appoint  my  said 
son,  John  Rosamond,  to  be  the  executor  of  this  my  last 
will  and  testament,  hereby  revoking  all  former  wills  by 
me  made. 

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  this 
26th  day  of  November,  1900. 

Witru          CJJAMES    BlNGHAM,  SOPHIA    R.OSAMOND1. 

s  {  ADDISON  TORT. 

The  above  instrument,  consisting  of  one  sheet,  was,  at  the 
date  thereof,  subscribed  by  Sophia  Rosamond,  the  testatrix 
named  in  the  foregoing  will,  in  the  presence  of  us  and  each  of 
us ;  and,  at  the  time  of  making  such  subscription,  the  above 
instrument  was  declared  by  the  said  testatrix  to  be  her  last 
will  and  testament,  and  each  of  us,  at  the  request  of  said 
testatrix,  and  in  her  presence,  and  in  the  presence  of  each 
other,  signed  our  names  as  witnesses  thereto,  at  the  end  of 
the  will. 

JAMES  BINGHAM,  residing  at  Greenpoint,  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y. 

ADDISON  TORT,  residing  at  Greenpoint,  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y. 

1  It  is  not  necessary  to  affix  a  seal  to  a  will. 


176  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Notice  to  Creditors. 

(No.  4.) 

In  pursuance  of  an  order  of  Hon.  J.  Keck,  county  judge  of 
Fulton  County,  notice  is  hereby  given  to  all  persons  having 
claims  against  Dennis  Moon,  lately  doing  business  in  the  city 
of  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  to  present  the  same,  with  the  vouchers 
therefor,  duly  verified,  to  the  subscriber,  assignee  for  the 
benefit  of  the  creditors  of  said  Dennis  Moon,  at  the  office  of 
said  assignee,  No.  39  West  Main  street,  in  the  city  of  Johns- 
town, N.  Y.,  on  or  before  the  3ist  day  of  December,  1901. 

Dated  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  the  3d  day  of  January,  1901. 

ANNA  CASPER, 

SENECA  SHARP,  Assignee 

Attorney  for  Assignee, 
No.  49  West  Main  street,  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

Bond. 

(No.  5.) 

KNOW  ALL  MEN  BY  THESE  PRESENTS,  that  we,  James  Jackson, 
of  the  City  of  Boston,  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  and  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts,  as  principal,  and  William  Belding 
and  Charles  Robertson,  both  of  the  same  place,  as  sureties, 
are  held  and  firmly  bound  unto  Peter  Harding,  of  the  City  of 
Johnstown,  in  the  County  of  Fulton  and  State  of  New  York, 
in  the  sum  of  four  thousand  dollars  ($4,000),  gold  coin  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  to  be  paid  to  the  said  Peter  Harding, 
his  executors,  administrators,  or  assigns  ;  for  which  payment, 
well  and  truly  to  be  made,  we  bind  ourselves,  our  heirs, 
executors  and  administrators,  jointly  and  severally,  firmly  by 
these  presents.  Sealed  with  our  seals  and  dated  the  tenth 
day  of  December,  one  thousand  nine  hundred. 

The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such  that,  if  the  above 
bounden  James  Jackson,  his  heirs,  executors,  or  administrators, 
shall  well  and  truly  pay,  or  cause  to  be  paid,  unto  the  said 
Peter  Harding,  his  executors,  administrators  or  assigns,  the 
just  and  full  sum  of  four  thousand  dollars  ($4,000),  in  gold 
coin  of  the  United  States,  of  the  present  standard  of  weight 
and  fineness,  in  nine  months  from  the  date  hereof,  with 
interest  thereon,  at  the  rate  of  five  per  cent,  per  annum, 


LEGAL    FORMS.  177 

without  fraud  or  delay,  then  the  preceding  obligation   to  be 
void,  otherwise  to  remain  in  full  force  and  virtue. 

JAMES  JACKSON  (Seal) 

In  presence  of  WILLIAM  BELDING       (Seal) 

JOHN  DOE.  CHARLES  ROBERTSON  (Seal) 

Agreement.1 

(No.  6.) 

THIS  AGREEMENT,  made  this  tenth  day  of  December, 
in  the  year  nineteen  hundred,  between  Earnest  Bowdish 
and  Fred  A.  Bowdish,  composing  the  co-partnership  firm 
of  Bowdish  Brothers,  residing  and  doing  business  at  the 
City  of  Johnstown,  in  the  County  of  Fulton  and  State 
of  New  York,  parties  of  the  first  part,  and  John  Potts,  of 
the  same  place,  party  of  the  second  part,  WITNESSETH  : 
That  said  parties  of  the  first  part  agree  to  furnish  and  set 
complete,  according  to  the  specification  hereto  annexed  and 
marked  Exhibit  A.  and  the  drawings  also  hereto  annexed 
and  marked  Exhibit  B.,  both  of  which  are  made  part  hereof, 
upon  a  foundation  to  be  provided  by  said  party  of  the 
second  part,  in  his  plot  in  the  grounds  of  the  Johnstown 
Cemetery  Association,  in  Johnstown  aforesaid,  a  monument 
which  is  to  be  of  the  best  quality  of  granite  known  as  the  best 
medium  Dark  Barre  granite,  and  each  and  every  part  and 
portion  thereof  shall  come  from  the  same  quarry,  and  be  of  the 
same  kind  and  quality  of  the  best  medium  Dark  Barre  granite  ; 
and,  in  consideration  of  the  faithful  performance  of  the  fore- 
going agreement  by  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  the  said 
party  of  the  second  part  agrees  to  pay  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
dollars  ($i,ooo),3  when  this  agreement  shall  have  been  per- 
formed to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  said  party  of  the  second 
part,  but  not  before  the  expiration  of  sixty  days  from  and  after 
the  entire  completion  of  the  work  herein  provided  for  and 
performance  of  this  agreement. 

And  it  is  expressly  understood  and  agreed  by  the  parties 
hereto  that  the  payment  of  the  whole,  or  any  part,  of  the  said 
sum  of  money,  or  the  permitting  by  said  party  of  the  second 
part  of  the  erection  of  said  monument,  or  any  other  act  upon 

'In  law,  practically  synonymous  with  "contract."  These  words  are 
used  interchangeably. 

2  It  is  well  to  write  amounts  in  full,  followed  by  figures  in  parentheses 
This  is  technically  known  as  the  "  consideration  "  of  the  agreement. 
is  D.  B. 


178          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

the  part  of  the  said  party  of  the  second  part,  shall  not  be 
considered,  or  construed,  as  an  acceptance,  in  whole  or  in  part, 
of  the  performance  of  this  agreement  on  the  part  of,  or  by,  the 
said  parties  of  the  first  part,  until  one  year  shall  have  elapsed 
from  and  after  the  date  of  the  actual  erection  of  said  monument 
upon  said  cemetery  lot,  and  the  completion  of  all  work  in  con- 
nection therewith  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  said  party  of 
the  second  part  as  aforesaid  ;  and  said  party  of  the  second 
part  shall  have  the  privilege  at  any  time,  within  the  said  pericd 
of  one  year,  to  reject  and  refuse  to  accept  said  monument,  and 
all,  or  any  part  of,  the  labor  upon,  or  all,  or  any,  of  the 
material  used  in,  said  monument,  on  account  of  the  non-com- 
pliance of  the  parties  of  the  first  part  with  this  agreement,  or 
any  of  the  terms  thereof,  or  with  said  specification  and 
drawing,  or  either  thereof,  or  any  part  of  either  thereof,  or  en 
account  of  the  imperfect  performance,  or  non-performance,  by 
the  parties  of  the  first  part  of  this  agreement  in  any  of  its 
particulars,  upon  written  notice  of  such  rejection  or  non- 
acceptance,  or  both,  to  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part ;  and, 
in  case  of  such  rejection  or  non-acceptance,  said  party  of  the 
second  part  shall  be  entitled  to  recover  back  the  sums  of 
money  paid  to  the  parties  of  the  first  part  for,  or  on  account 
of,  said  monument ;  and,  in  that  event,  the  parties  of  the  first 
part  shall  remove  the  same  from  the  said  cemetery  lot  of  the  party 
of  the  second  part,  and  restore  the  said  cemetery  lot  to  the  same 
condition  in  which  it  was  at  the  time  of  the  commencement  of 
operations  thereon  for  the  erection  of  said  monument,  at  the 
cost  and  expense  of  the  parties  of  the  first  part ;  and,  in  case 
of  the  refusal  of  the  parties  of  the  first  part  so  to  do,  the  party 
of  the  second  part  may  cause  the  same  to  be  done  at  the  cost 
and  expense  of  the  parties  of  the  first  part. 

And  as  a  part  of  the  consideration  of  this  agreement  the 
parties  of  the  first  part  hereby  covenant  and  agree  that,  in  case 
the  party  of  the  second  part  shall  purchase,  or  contract  to 
purchase,  the  marker  or  index  stone  now  set  upon  his  said 
cemetery  lot,  they  will  and  shall  cut,  dress  and  hammer  the 
entire  surface  of  said  marker  or  index  stone  so  that  the  same 
shall  be  fine  and  smooth  and  be  of  the  best  "  twelve-cut "  work, 
and  polish  or  hammer  the  letters  thereon,  at  the  option  of  the 
party  of  the  second  part. 

It  is  also  expressly  understood  and  agreed,  by  and  between 
the  parties  hereto,  that  all  the  provisions,  statements  and 


LEGAL    FORMS.  I  7  c, 

requirements,  contained  in,  and  ever}'  part  of  said  specification 
Exhibit  A.  and  of  said  drawing  exhibit  Irrespectively,  shall 
be  treated  as  a  part  hereof,  and  the  same  shall  be  binding 
upon  the  parties  hereto,  and  shall  bind  them  the  same  as  if  the 
same  were  incorporated  in  the  body  of  this  agreement,  fur  all 
the  purposes  of  this  agreement. 

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF  the  parties  hereto  have  hereunto  set 
their  hands  and  seals  the  day  first  above  written. 

EARNEST  BOWDISH  (Seal)1 

In  presence  of  FRED  A.  BOWDISH  (Seal) 

THOMAS  COLLINS  JOHN  POTTS  (Seal) 

General  Mutual  Release. 

(No.  7.) 

THIS  INDENTURE,  made  this  fourteenth  day  of  December, 
A.D.  1900,  between  John  Fudge,  of  Fonda,  Montgomery 
County,  and  State  of  New  York,  of  the  one  part,  and 
Theodore  B.  Catchem,  of  Fultonville,  in  the  County  and  State 
aforesaid,  of  the  other  part,  WITNESSETH  :  That  the  said 
John  Fudge  and  Theodore  B.  Catchem  have  this  day  canceled 
and  delivered  up  to  the  other  certain  covenants,  bonds,  notes, 
and  written  contracts  upon  which  he  claimed  to  have  demands 
on  the  other;  the  said  claims  and  instruments  so  canceled  and 
delivered  up  being  supposed  and  intended  to  be  all  the  claims 
and  evidence  of  claims  by  either  of  the  parties  hereto  on  the 
other.  And,  in  consideration  thereof,  each  of  them,  the  said 
John  Fudge  and  Theodore  B.  Catchem,  does  hereby,  for 
himself  and  his  legal  representatives,  release  and  absolutely 
and  forever  discharge  the  other  of  and  from  all  claims  and 
demands,  actions,  causes  of  action,  of  every  name  and  nature, 
so  that  neither  of  them  shall  have  any  claim  on  the  other, 
directly  or  indirectly,  on  any  contract,  or  supposed  liability,  or 
thing  undertaken,  done,  or  omitted  to  be  done,  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world  to  this  day. 

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  said  parties  have  hereto  inter- 
changeably set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  first 
above  written. 

In  presence  of  JOHN  FUDGE  (L.S.) 

GEORGE  JENKINS.  THEODORE  B.  CATCHEM  (L.S.) 

1  In  many  states  wafer  seals  are  unnecessary,  in  such  states  the  word 
"seal,"  or  the  letters  "L.S."  meaning,  place  of  the  seal)  following  the 
signature,  being  sufficient.  See  signatures,  Form  No.  7. 


l8o  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Certificate  of  Acknowledgment — Illinois. 

(No.  8.) 

State  of  Illinois  "1 
County  of  Cook  / 

On  this  sixth  day  of  June,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
ninety-six,  before  me,  William  H.  Dunlop,  a  notary  public  in 
and  tor  the  County  of  Cook,  residing  therein,  duly  com- 
missioned and  sworn,  personally  appeared  Henry  Harrison, 
George  Morse  and  James  Johnson,  personally  known  to  me 
to  be  the  same  persons  whose  names  are  subscribed  to  the 
within  instrument,  and  they,  severally,  duly  acknowledged  to 
me  that  they  executed  the  same. 

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
affixed  my  official  seal,  at  my  office  in  the  City  of  Chicago, 
County  of  Cook,  the  day  and  year  in  this  certificate  first  above 
written. 

WILLIAM  H.  DUNLOP, 
(L.S.)  Notary  Public, 

In  and  for  the  County  of  Cook,  State  of  Illinois. 

Notice  to  Tenant. 

(No.  9.) 

Take  notice,  that  you  are  justly  indebted  unto  me  in  the 
sum  of  twenty  dollars  for  rent  of  the  following  described 
premises,  to  wit :  All  the  second  floor  of  the  building  owned 
by  me  and  known  and  designated  as  No.  4  South  Tompkins 
Avenue,  in  the  City  of  Rochester,  Monroe  County  and  State 
of  New  York,  ten  dollars  of  which  said  sum  of  rent  became, 
and  was,  due  and  payable  on  November  ist,  1900,  and  ten 
dollars  of  which  said  sum  of  rent  became,  and  was,  due  and 
payable  on  December  ist,  1900,  which  said  sum  of  twenty 
dollars  rent  you  are  required  to  pay  to  me,  on  or  before  the 
expiration  of  three  days  from  the  day  of  the  service  of  this 
notice,  or  surrender  up  the  possession  of  the  above-described 
premises  to  me ;  in  default  of  which  I  shall  proceed,  under  the 
statute,  to  recover  the  possession  thereof. 

Dated  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  this  3d  day  of  December,  1900. 

PAUL  JONES, 

To  TIMOTHY  TUGMUTTON,  Landlord. 

Tenant. 


LEGAL    FORMS. 

Class    II.— Legal    Papers    in    Actions. 

Summons. 

(No.  10.) 
NEW  YORK  SUPREME  COURT. 

Trial  desired  in  Fulton  County. 

SAMUEL  BAKER, 

Plaintiff,! 
against2 
JOSEPH  MOONEY  et  a/.,3 

Defendants.4 


To  the  above  named  defendants  : 

You  are  hereby  summoned  to  answer  the  complaint  in  this 
action,  and  to  serve  a  copy  of  your  answer  on  the  plaintiff's 
attorney  within  twenty  days  after  the  service  of  this  summons, 
exclusive  of  the  day  of  service,  and  in  case  of  your  failure  to 
appear,  or  answer,  judgment  will  be  taken  against  you  by 
default  for  the  relief  demanded  in  the  complaint. 
Dated,  December  2,  1900. 

JAMES  MORRIS, 

Plaintiff's  Attorney. 

Office  Address  and  )  49  West  Main  street, 
Post-Office  Address  )  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

Demurrer. 

(No.  n.) 
Fol.  i5.  SUPREME  COURT.     FULTON  COUNTY. 


LEONHARD  CHERRY  and 
JOHN  HENRY  MARTIN, 

against 
CHARLES  BUNCE. 


The  defendant,  Charles  Bunce,  demurs  to  the  com- 
plaint herein,  and  for  the  grounds  of  his  demurrer  states, 
that  it  appears,  upon  the  face  of  the  complaint,  that 
1  Abbreviation  :  "  Pl'ff." 

"Against"   is  often  abbreviated  to  "Ag'st."      Sometimes  ils  Latin 
equivalent  versus  (abbreviation  "  vs.")  is  used. 

3  et  alia — Latin,  meaning  "and  others." 

4  Abbreviation  :  "  Def'ts." 

5  See  note  i,  page  182. 


l82  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

there  is  a  misjoinder  of  parties  plaintiff,  in  that  the 
plaintiff,  John  Henry  Martin,  is  improperly  joined  with 
the  other  plaintiff,  because  he  is  shown  to  have  no  cause 
of  action  jointly  with  him,  but  that  the  sole  cause  of 
action  set  forth  in  the  complaint  is  shown  to  be  in  the 
„  2  other  plaintiff,  Leonhard  Cherry  exclusive  of  said  John 
Henry  Martin. 

Dated,  January  10,  1901. 

RUDOLPH  SOUTH, 

Defendant's  Attorney, 
Office  Address  and  )  50  West  Main  street, 
Post-Office  Address/          Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

Notice  of  Pendency  of  Action. 

(No.  12.) 
Fol.  i1         SUPREME  COURT.     FULTON  COUNTY. 

JOSEPH  KEPLER, 
against 

WILLIAM  DOBBS,  Jr.,  ALBERT  MOORE,  MICHAEL  L.  FUNK, 
WILLIAM  BATES,  JOHN  A.  STARK  and  JAMES  BUSH., 

To  the  Clerk  of  the  County  of  Fulton  : 
Sir  : — Notice  is  hereby  given  that  an  action  has  been 
commenced,  and  is  now  pending  in  this  court,  by  the 
above-named  plaintiff  against  the  above-named  defen- 
dants,   the   object  of  which  action    is   to   foreclose  a 
mechanic's  lien,  a  notice  of  which  lien  was  duly  filed 
in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  County  of  Fulton  on  the 
„  2  2d  day  of  December,  1897.     The  real  property  affected 
by  such  lien  is  described  as  follows,  viz.  : 

All  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land  situate  in  the  city  of 
Johnstown,  County  of  Fulton  and  State  of  New  York, 
designated  as  lot  No.  seventy-one  (71)  upon  a  map 
or  plot  of  land  commonly  known  and  called  "  Kensing- 
ton Place,"  as  laid  out  upon  a  map  or  plot  made  by 
C.  Fiske,  C.E.,  and  filed  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the 
County  of  Fulton  on  the  2d  day  of  December,  1895,  and 

1  Fol.  Abbreviation  for  "  Folio."  Certain  legal  documents  are  required 
by  the  rules  of  practice  to  be  foliod,  i.e. :  commencing  with  the  first  word, 
every  hundred  words  are  numbered  consecutively  in  the  margin  as  shown 
in  above  form.  In  practice,  it  is  customary  to  place  the  folio  opposite  each 
tenth  line,  ditto  marks  being  used  after  the  first,  instead  of  the  word,  "  folio." 


LEGAL    FORMS.  183 

being  the  same  premises  conveyed  by  William  T. 
Brown  and  others  to  said  defendants  William  Dobbs, 
Jr.  and  John  A.  Stark,  by  deed  dated  Ma}-  i9th,  1896, 
„  3  which  deed  was  recorded  in  said  clerk's  office, 
May  23d,  1896,  in  book  of  deeds  No.  98  at  page  65, 
and  also  the  same  premises  described  in  a  contract  for 
the  conveyance  thereof  made  by  said  defendants  Albert 
Moore  and  Michael  L.  Funk  to  said  defendant  William 
Bates,  dated  Oct.  igth,  1897,  and  filed  and  recorded 
in  said  clerk's  office,  Oct.  2oth,  1897,  in  book  of  deeds 
No.  10 1  at  page  42. 
Dated  December  27th,  1897. 

WILLIAM  BALCOM, 

Plaintiff's  Attorney, 
Office  Address  and    )  Johnstown, 
Post  Office  Address1  /      Fulton  Co.,  N.  Y. 

To  the  Clerk  of  the  County  of  Fulton  :—  You  are 
hereby  directed  to  index  the  foregoing  notice  to,  and  in 
the  names  of,  the  defendants  William  Dobbs,  Jr.,  Albert 
Moore,  Michael  L.  Funk,  William  Bates  and  John  A. 
Stark  in  the  above-entitled  action. 

WILLIAM  BALCOM, 

Plaintiff's  Attorney, 
Office  Address  and  )  Johnstown, 
Post  Office  Address  /      Fulton  Co.,  N.  Y. 

1  The  rules  of  practice  require  the  Attorney  to  state  his  office  and  post 
office  address. 

Answer.1 
(No.  13.) 
Fol.  i  SUPREME  COURT.     FULTON  COUNTY. 


LEONHARD  CHERRY  and 
JOHN  HENRY  MARTIN, 

against 
CHARLES  BUNCE. 


The  above-named  defendant,  for  an  answer  to  the 
complaint  herein  of  the  above-named  plaintiff. 

First :  Denies  each  and  every  allegation  in  said 
complaint  contained. 


184          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS   DICTATION    BOOK. 

Second :  For  a  further  and  separate  answer  to  the 
complaint  herein,  the  defendant  alleges  that,  heretofore, 
and  on  or  about  the  roth  day  of  December,  1900,  the 
plaintiff  and  this  defendant  fully  accounted  to  and  with 
each  other  as  to  the  cause  of  action  set  forth  in  the 
complaint  herein,  and  also  as  to  all  monies,  accounts 
and  matters  of  difference  then,  and  previous  thereto, 
existing  between  them  ;  and,  on  the  day  last  mentioned, 
„  2  stated  the  account  then  between  them,  and  that,  upon 
said  last  mentioned  date,  there  was  found  due  and 
owing,  upon  account  of  all  said  moneys,  accounts  and 
matters,  from  this  defendant  to  said  plaintiff,  the  sum 
of  fifty  dollars,  which  said  sum  of  fifty  dollars  this 
defendant,  on  said  last  mentioned  date,  paid  to  said 
plaintiff,  who  received  the  same  in  full  satisfaction  and 
discharge  of  all  claims  and  demands  then  existing  in 
favor  of  said  plaintiff  against  this  defendant. 

WHEREFORE,  the  defendant  demands  judgment  against 
the  said  plaintiff  that  the  complaint  herein  be  dismissed, 
,,  3  with  the  costs  and  disbursements  of  this  action. 
RUDOLPH  SOUTH, 

Defendant's  Attorney. 

Office  Address  and    \  50  West  Main  Street, 
Post-Office  Address  /  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

State  of  New  York2  ~\ 
County  of  Fulton       / 

Charles  Bunce,  being  duly  sworn,  says:. That  he  is 
the  defendant  in  the  above-entitled  action  ;  that  he  has 
read  the  foregoing  answer  and  knows  the  contents 
thereof,  and  that  the  same  is  true  to  his  own  knowledge, 
except  as  to  the  matters  therein  stated  to  be  alleged  on 
his  information  and  belief,  and  that,  as  to  those  matters, 
he  believes  it  to  be  true. 
Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me  "\  ^ 

this  2d  day  of  February,  1901,     /  CHARLES  BuNCE- 
JEROME  BILLINGTON, 

Notary  Public,  Fulton  Co.,  N.Y. 

1  Answer.     This  is  the  instrument  by  which  a  person  who  is  sued  sets 
forth  facts  which  are  claimed  to  constitute  a  legal  defense  why  the  person 
suing  him  should  not  obtain  the  relief  sought.      The  language  of  this 
instrument,  as  well  as  the  complaint  (see  preceding  form),  necessarily  varies 
according  to  the  circumstances  out  of  which  the  litigation  springs. 

2  Affidavit  of  verification.     See  note  i  under  Complaint  (Form  No.  16, 
page  189). 


LEGAL    FORMS.  185 

Complaint  in  Mortgage  Foreclosure. 

(No.   14.) 
Fol.  i.        SUPREME  COURT.     COUNTY  OF  FULTON. 


JOHN  DOE, 

Plaintiff, 
against 

RICHARD  ROE,  NANCY  ROE,  his  wife, 
JOHN  JOYCE  and  JASON  THOMPSON, 

Defendants. 


The  complaint  of  the  above-named  plaintiff  respect- 
fully shows  to  this  court  and  alleges  : 

That  the  defendant,  Richard  Roe,  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  the  payment  to  the  plaintiff  of  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  dollars  ($1,000),  with  interest  thereon,  on  or 
about  the  first  day  of  November,  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  ninety-nine,  executed  and  delivered  to  the 
plaintiff  a  bond,  bearing  date  on  that  day,  sealed  with 
,  2  his  seal,  whereby  the  said  defendant,  Richard  Roe,  did 
bind  himself,  his  heirs,  executors  and  administrators,  in 
the  penalty  of  one  thousand  dollars  ($1,000),  upon  con- 
dition that  the  same  should  be  void  if  the  said  defendant, 
Richard  Roe,  .his  heirs,  executors  or  administrators, 
should  pay  to  the  said  plaintiff,  his  executors,  adminis- 
trators or  assigns,  the  sum  of  money  first  above 
mentioned,  as  follows,  viz.  :  One  thousand  dollars 
($1,000),  and  interest  thereon,  on  the  first  day  of 
November,  1900  ;  and,  as  collateral  security  for  the 
payment  of  the  said  indebtedness,  the  said  defendant 

3  Richard  Roe  and  Nancy  Roe,  his  wife,  on  the  same  day, 
duly  executed,  acknowledged  and  delivered  to  the  said 
plaintiff  a  mortgage,  whereby  they  granted,  bargained 
and  sold  to  the  said  plaintiff  the  following  described 
premises,  with  the  appurtenances  thereto,  that  is  to  say  : 
All  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situate,  lying  and  being 
in  the  city  (formerly  village)  of  Gloversville,  County  of 
Fulton  and  State  of  New  York,  bounded  and  described 
as   follows,  viz. :  On  the   northerly  by  land   of  John 
Pyle  ;  on  the  easterly  by  land  of  James  Stand ;  on  the 
southerly  by    First  Avenue,  in   said   city,  and  on  the 

4  westerly  by  land  of  Joseph  Moore. 


1 86          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

That  the  said  mortgage  contained  the  same  conditions 
as  the  said  bond,  and  the  further  condition  that,  if  the 
said  mortgagor  Richard  Roe  should  not  pay  the  moneys 
thereby  secured,  according  to  the  terms  thereof,  then 
the  said  plaintiff,  his  executors,  administrators  or 
assigns,  were  empowered  to  sell  the  said  mortgaged 
premises  in  due  form  of  law,  and  out  of  all  the  moneys 
arising  from  such  sale,  to  retain  the  said  sum  of  money 
and  interest  in  and  by  said  bond  secured  to  be  paid,  with 
costs  and  expenses  of  the  proceedings  thereupon,  the 
„  5  surplus,  if  any  there  should  be,  to  be  returned  to  the 
mortgagor,  said  defendant  Richard  Roe,  his  heirs, 
executors,  administrators  or  assigns. 

And  the  plaintift  further  shows :  That  the  said 
mortgage  was  duly  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of 
the  County  of  Fulton,  New  York,  on  the  first  day  of 
November,  1899,  at  two  o'clock  p.m.,  in  Book  No.  124 
of  Mortgages  at  page  500. 

That  the  said  defendants  Richard  and  Nancy  Roe 
have,  and  each  of  them  has,  failed  to  comply  with  the 
conditions  of  the  said  mortgage,  and  the  said  defendant 
Richard  Roe  has  failed  to  comply  with  the  conditions 
„  6  of  the  said  bond,  by  omitting  to  pay  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  dollars  ($1,000)  and  interest  thereon  for  one 
year  from  the  first  day  of  November,  1899,  which,  b}7 
the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  said  bond  and  mortgage, 
became,  and  was,  due  and  payable  on  the  first  day  of 
November,  1900,  and  there  is  now  justly  due  the 
plaintiff,  upon  the  said  bond  and  mortgage,  the  sum  of 
one  thousand  dollars  ($1,000)  and  interest  thereon  from 
the  first  day  of  November,  1899. 

That  no  proceedings  have  been  had  at  law,  or  other- 
wise, and   no   other   action   has   been    brought  to  the 
knowledge  or  belief  of  said  plaintiff,  to   recover  said 
„   7  sum  secured  by  said  bond  and  mortgage,  or  to  recover 
said  mortgage  debt,  or  any  part  thereof. 

And  the  plaintiff  further  shows,  upon  information 
and  belief:  That  the  defendants  John  Joyce  and  Jason 
Thompson  have,  or  claim  to  have,  some  interest  in,  or 
lien  upon,  the  said  mortgaged  premises,  or  some  part 
thereof,  which  interest  or  lien,  if  any,  has  accrued  sub- 
sequently to  the  lien  of  the  plaintiff's  said  mortgage. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  iS'/ 

The  plaintiff,  therefore,  demands  that  the  defendant-, 
and  all  persons  claiming  under  them  subsequent  to 
the  commencement  of  this  action,  and  every  person 
whose  conveyance  or  incumbrance  is  subsequent,  or  is 
subsequently  recorded,  may  be  barred  and  foreclosed 
„  8  of  all  right,  claim,  lien  and  equity  of  redemption,  dower, 
right  of  dower,  or  inchoate  right  of  dower  in  said 
mortgaged  premises  ;  that  the  said  premises,  or  so 
much  thereof  as  may  be  sufficient  to  raise  the  amount 
due  to  the  plaintiff  for  principal,  interest  and  costs, 
and  which  may  be  sold  in  parcels  without  material 
injury  to  the  interests  of  the  parties,  may  be  decreed 
to  be  sold  according  to  law  ;  that  out  of  all  the  moneys 
arising  from  the  sale  thereof,  the  plaintiff  may  be  paid 
the  amount  due  on  the  said  bond  and  mortgage,  with 
interest  to  the  time  of  such  payment,  and  the  costs  and 
,,  9  expenses  of  this  action,  so  far  as  the  amount  of  such 
moneys  properly  applicable  thereto  will  pay  the  same  ; 
that  the  officer,  on  making  such  sale,  be  directed  to  pay 
out  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  all  taxes,  assessments 
and  water  rates  which  are  liens  upon  the  property  sold ; 
and  that  the  defendant,  Richard  Roe,  may  be  adjudged 
to  pay  any  deficiency  which  may  remain  after  applying 
all  of  said  moneys  so  applicable  thereto ;  and  that  the 
plaintiff  may  have  such  other  or  further  relief,  or  both, 
in  the  premises,  as  shall  be  just  and  equitable. 
HENRY  W.  BALCOM, 

Plaintiff's  Attorney. 

Office  Address  and    \  No.  49  West  Main  Street., 
„  10         Post-Office  Address  J  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

State  of  New  York) 
County  of  Fulton    j' 

John  Doe,  being  duly  sworn,  deposes  and  says  :  That  he  is 
the  plaintiff  in  the  above-entitled  action  ;  that  he  has  read  the 
foregoing  complaint  and  knows  the  contents  thereof,  and  that 
the  same  is  true  to   his   own  knowledge,   except  as  to  the 
matters  therein  stated  to  be  alleged  on  information  and  belief, 
and  that,  as  to  those  matters,  he  believes  it  to  be  true. 
Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me\  T         n 
this  i3th  day  of  December,  1900,      /  Jo 
LEONARD  WRITER, 

Notary  Public,  Fulton  Co.,  N.  Y. 


1 88          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Stipulation. 

(No.  15.) 

Fol.  i        NEW  YORK  SUPREME  COURT. 

—  > 
SAMUEL  BAKER, 

Plaintiff, 
vs. 
JOSEPH  MOONEY  et  a!., 

Defendants. 


It  is  hereby  stipulated,  by  and  between  the  attorneys 
for  the  respective  parties  hereto,  that  the  defendant  have 
ten  days  additional  time  in  which  to  serve  his  answer, 
or  otherwise  plead,  herein,  to  wit :  to  and  including  the 
2d  day  of  February,  1901. 
Dated,  January  18,  1901. 

JAMES  MORRIS, 

Attorney  for  Plaintiff. 
GEORGE  JENKINS, 

Attorney  for  Defendant 

Complaint1 

(No.  1 6.) 
Fol.  i  SUPREME  COURT.     FULTON  COUNTY. 


LEONHARD  CHERRY  and 
JOHN  HENRY  MARTIN, 

against 
CHARLES  BUNCE. 

The  above  named  plaintiffs,  for  a  complaint  and 
cause  of  action  herein  against  the  above  named 
defendant,  respectfully  shows  to  the  court  and  alleges : 

That  heretofore,  and  on  the  2ist  day  of  September, 
1900,  at  the  city  of  Gloversville,  Fulton  County,  N.  Y., 
the  plaintiff  Cherry,  at  the  request  of  the  defendant, 
sold  and  delivered  to  him  certain  goods,  wares  and 

1  "Complaint."  In  some  states,  and  in  the  United  States  courts,  this 
paper  is  known  as  Bill  or  Declaration.  It  contains  a  statement  of  facts 
which  constitute  the  cause,  or  causes,  upon  which  a  person  founds  his  right 
to  maintain  a  law-suit.  [This  form  should  be  read  as  if  it  appeared  before 
No.  13,  which  is,  supposedly,  an  answer  to  this  complaint.  H.W.T.] 


LEGAL   FORMS.  189 

merchandise,  consisting  of  gloves  and  mittens,  of  the 
kinds,  styles,  qualities  and  quantities,  and  at  the  agreed 
prices  next  hereinafter  specifically  set  forth,  viz  : 

„  2  twelve  dozens  of  gentlemen's  outseam  one-button 
gloves  at  the  agreed  price  of  nine  dollars  per  dozen, 
and  seven  dozens  of  ladies'  overseam  seven-hooked 
gloves  at  the  agreed  price  of  eight  dollars  and  fifty 
cents  per  dozen,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  dollars  and  fifty 
cents.  That  by  the  terms  of  the  sale  of  said  goods, 
wares  and  merchandise,  the  purchase  price  thereof, 
viz  :  the  said  sum  of  $167.50  became,  and  was,  due  and 
payable  on  the  22d  day  of  November,  1900,  no  part  of 

,,  3  which  has  been  paid,  and  there  is  now  justly  due  and 
owing  the  plaintiffs  by  the  defendant  the  said  sum  of 
$167.50  with  interest  thereon  from  the  226.  day  of 
November,  1900. 

WHEREFORE  the  plaintiffs  demand  judgment  against 
the  defendant  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  with  interest  thereon 
from  November  22,  1900,  besides  the  costs  and  dis- 
bursements of  this  action. 

HENRY  W.  BALCOM, 

Plaintiffs'  Attorney. 

Office  Address  and  1  No.  49  West  Main  Street, 
Post-Office  Address  j  Johnstown, 

Fulton  Co.,  N.  Y. 
State  of  New  York1  \  sg 
County  of  Fulton      | 

Leonhard  Cherry,  being  duly  sworn,  says :  That  he 
is  one  of  the  plaintiffs  in  the  above-entitled  action  ;  that 
he  has  read  the  foregoing  complaint  and  knows  the 

„  4  contents  thereof,  and  that  the  same  is  true  to  his  own 
knowledge,  except  as  to  the  matters  therein  stated  to  be 
alleged  on  information  and  belief,  and  that,  as  to  those 
matters,  he  believes  it  to  be  true. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  mel  T  r 

J-LEONHARD   CHERRY. 
this  29th  day  of  December,  i9oo,J 

MAJENDLE  JOHNSTON, 

Notary  Public,  Fulton  Co.,  N.  Y. 

1  This  is  known  as  an  affidavit  of  verification.  It  does  not  necessarily 
form  part  of  the  complaint,  as  the  latter  may  be  used,  in  certain  cases, 
without  being  sworn  to. 


190  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Judgment. 
(No.  17.) 

Fol.  i.  At  a  Trial  Term  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  held  at  the  Court  House,  in  the 
City  of  Johnstown,  Fulton  County,  N.  Y.,  on  the 
3oth  day  of  December,  1900. 

President :  Hon.  Leslie  IV.  Russell,  Justice. 
SUPREME  COURT.     FULTON  COUNTY. 


SAMUEL  BAKER, 

Plaintiff, 
against 
JOSEPH  MOONEY  et  at., 

Defendants. 


The  issues  in  this  action  having  been  regularly 
brought  on  for  trial  before  Mr.  Justice  Leslie  W. 
Russell,  at  a  trial  term  of  this  court,  held  on  the  loth 
day  of  December,  1900,  at  the  county  court  house  in  the 
City  of  Johnstown,  in  the  County  of  Fulton  and  State 
of  New  York,  and  the  summons  in  this  action,  with  a 

,,  2  copy  of  the  complaint  herein,  having  been  personally- 
served  on  all  the  defendants  herein,  except  the  defen- 
dant, John  Jones,  who  voluntarily  appeared,  and  the 
time  of  all  the  defendants  to  appear  and  plead  having 
fully  expired,  and  none  of  them  having  appeared  or 
pleaded,  except  the  defendant  Mooney,1  who  duly 
appeared  and  interposed  an  answer  to  the  complaint 
herein,  and  the  court  having  heard  the  allegations  and 
proofs  of  the  parties,  and  the  argument  of  counsel,  and, 
after  due  deliberation,  having  duly  made  and  filed,  on 
the  25th  day  of  December,  1900,  a  decision  in  favor  of 

„  3  the  defendant,  Joseph  Mooney,  against  the  plaintiff, 
containing  a  statement  of  the  facts  found  and  the 
conclusions  of  law  thereon,  directing  judgment  as 
hereinafter  stated ;  and  the  defendant's  costs  having  been 
duly  adjusted  at  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ($250). 

1  It  is  not  uncommon  to  thus  omit  the  first  name  of  parties  plaintiff  and 
defendant,  using  only  the  surname. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  ly  r 

Now,  on  motion  of  George  Jenkins,  attorney  for  the 
defendant,  Joseph  Mooney,  and  after  hearing  James 
Morris,  attorney  for  the  plaintiff",  in  opposition, 

IT  is  ADJUDGED,  that  the  complaint  of  the  plaintiff 
herein  be,  and  the  same  hereby  is,  dismissed,  upon  the 
merits,  as  to  the  defendant  Joseph  Mooney,  and  that 
the  said  defendant,  Joseph  Mooney,  do  recover  of  the 
said  plaintiff*  the  said  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  ($250). 

Enter  in  Fulton  County. 

L.W.R.  CHARLES  H.  BUTLER, 

Clerk. 

4       Judgment    signed    and    entered   this    i5th    da}'   of 
January,  1901. 

CHARLES  H.  BUTLER, 
Clerk. 


Petition. 

(No.  18.) 
NEW  YORK  SUPREME  COURT. 


ROBERT  JONES 

against 
SARAH  JONES. 


To  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  New  York  : 
The  petition  of  Sarah  Jones,  defendant  above  named, 
respectfully  shows  : 

I.  That  the  plaintiff,  Robert  Jones,  has  commenced 
an  action,  by  the  service  of  a  summons  and  complaint 
on  your  petitioner,  to  obtain  a  judgment  for  separation 
between    him    and    the    petitioner;     and    that    your 
petitioner    has    answered,   denying    all    the    material 
allegations  in  said  complaint,  except  the  allegation  as 
to   the    marriage    between   this    petitioner    and    said 
plaintiff. 

II.  That  said  plaintiff  has  left  your  petitioner  and 
ceased  to  provide  for  her  support,  and  your  petitioner 
is  wholly  destitute  of  the  means  of  supporting  herself, 


192  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

pending  this  action,  or  carrying  on  her  defense  thereto, 
and  defraying  the  costs  and  expenses  attending  the 
same. 

III.  That  the  said  plaintiff  has  real  and  personal 
property  to  a  large  amount,  and  amply  sufficient  to 
enable  him  to  advance  therefrom,  to  your  petitioner 
such  sums  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  above- 
mentioned  purposes,  and  in  particular  has  money  now 

„  3  in  bank  and  owns  a  house  and  lot  No.  35  Lexington 
avenue,  in  the  City  of  Thyneville,  N.  Y.,  worth,  over 
and  above  incumbrances,  the  sum  of  $5,000. 

WHEREFORE,  your  petitioner  prays  that  an  order  be 
made  requiring  said  plaintiff  to  pay  her  a  reasonable 
sum  for  her  support  and  maintenance,  during  the  pen- 
dency of  this  action,  and  such  sums  as  may  be 
necessary  to  enable  her  to  carry  on  her  defense  of  this 
action,  and  to  defray  the  necessary  costs  and  expenses 
thereof;  and  for  such  other  and  further  order  as  may 
be  just. 

„  4       Dated  December  nth,  1900.  SARAH  JONES. 

RUDOLPH  SOUTH, 

Petitioner's  Attorney, 

Office  Address  and   ")  50  West  Main  Street, 
Post-Office  Address  )  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

State  of  New  York1    \  gs 
Fulton  County.  / 

Sarah  Jones,  being  duly  sworn,  deposes  and  says  : 
That  she  resides  at  the  City  of  Johnstown,  in  the 
County  and  State  aforesaid,  and  is  the  petitioner 
named  in,  and  who  subscribed,  the  foregoing  petition ; 
that  she  has  read  the  foregoing  petition,  and  knows  the 
contents  thereof,  and  that  the  same  is  true  to  her 
knowledge. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me)c  T 

this  xoth  day  of  December,  i9oo,/bARAH  Jo 
JOSEPH  TOMPKINS, 

Notary  Public, 

Fulton  County,  N.  Y. 

1  Affidavit  of  verification — often  curtailed  to   verification.     See  note  i 
under  "  Complaint,"  Form  No.  16,  page  189. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  193 

Order. 

(No.  19.) 

At  a  Special  Term  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  at 
the  chambers  of  Justice  Stover  in  the  City  of 
Amsterdam,  Montgomery  County,  N.  Y.,  on  the 
25111  day  of  June,  1900. 

Present :  Hon.  M.  L.  Stover,  Justice. 

SUPREME  COURT.     FULTON  COUNTY. 


WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON 
against 

PHILETUS  P.  JOHNSON  and  CATHARINE 
JOHNSON,  his  wife,  MARGARET  S. 
JOHNSON,  individually,  and  as  ad- 
ministratrix of  the  goods,  chattels 
and  credits  of  JAMES  P.  JOHNSON, 
deceased,  JAMES  P.  JOHNSON,  CATHA- 
RINE JOHNSON,  ISABELLE  JOHNSON  and 
ELEANOR  JOHNSON. 


,  2  On  reading  and  filing  the  annexed  petition  of 
Margaret  S.  Johnson,  verified  the  24th  day  of  June, 
1900,  for  the  appointment  of  James  Lucas  as  guardian 
ad  litem  of  the  infant  defendant  Eleanor  Johnson,  in 
the  above-entitled  action,  and  the  consent  of  said 
James  Lucas,  duly  acknowledged,  and  proof  by  his 
affidavit,  and  the  affidavit  of  Oliver  Letman,  verified 
the  24th  day  of  June,  1900,  that  he  is  a  competent  and 
responsible  person  r1 

Now  ON  MOTION  OF  Henry  W.  Balcom,  Attorney  for 
said  petitioner,  it  is 

ORDERED  :    That  James  Johnson  be,  and  hereby  is, 

appointed    guardian    ad    litem    for    the    said    infant 

„  3  defendant    Eleanor   Johnson,   and   directed  to  appear 

1  From  the  words  "  on  reading  "  to  this  point,  this  part  is  said  to  con- 
tain the  "  recitals  "  of  the  order.     This  portion  of  the  document  recites  the 
proceedings  upon  which  the  court  acts  in  making  the  order- 
i  3  A  B. 


194  TWENTIETH   CENTURY    BUSINESS   DICTATION    BOOK. 

and   defend   on   her   behalf   in   the   action   mentioned 
in  said  petition  and  above-entitled.1 

Enter  in  Fulton  Coimty.  C.  H.  BUTLER, 

M.L.S.2  Clerk.3 

Filed  and  Entered 
June  29,  1898, 
at  3|   H.  P.M. 
C.  H.  BUTLER,  Clerk. 

Notice  of  Motion. 

(No.    20.) 

Fol.  i         SUPREME  COURT. 


ROBERT  JONES 

•    versus 
SARAH   JONES. 

Please  take  notice,  that  upon  two  affidavits,  copies 
of  which  are  herewith  served  upon  you,  and  upon  the 
pleadings  on  file  in  this  action,  the  undersigned  will 
move  this  court,  at  a  special  term  thereof,  to  be  held  at 
the  County  Court  House,  in  the  City  of  Johnstown, 
N.  Y.,  on  the  loth  day  of  January,  1901,  at  the  opening 
of  the  court  on  that  day,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as 
counsel  can  be  heard,  for  an  order  requiring  the  plaintiff 
to  pay  to  the  defendant  alimony  and  counsel  fee,  in 
,,  2  such  sum  as  the  court  shall  direct,  during  the  pendency 
of  this  action,  and  also  such  sum  as  may  appear  to  be 
proper  and  necessary  to  enable  the  defendant  to  carry 
on  the  defense  of  this  action  ;  or  for  such  other  or 
further  relief  as  may  be  just,  with  costs  of  this  motion. 
Dated  December  nth,  1900. 

HENRY  W.  BALCOM, 

Defendant's  Attorney, 
Office  Address  and    \  Johnstown, 
Post-Office  Address  /          N.  Y. 
To  JOSIAH  PYNTER,  Esq., 

Attorney  for  Plaintiff. 

1  This  is  termed  the  "  decretal  "  part  of  an  order. 

8  Initials  of  the  judge  who  grants  the  order. 

8  Signature  of  the  clerk  of  the  court  wherein  order  is  made. 


LEGAL   FORMS. 


Class  III. — Law  Stenographer's  Transcripts. 

Index  to  Stenographer's  Transcript  of  Testimony. 

(No.  21.) 
FULTON  COUNTY  COURT. 


THE  PEOPLE, 

vs.1 
WILLIAM  BISSELL. 


Nora  Serviss, 

„  „     recalled,4 

Minnie  Kelly, 

,,          „     recalled, 
Fred  B.  Sperber, 

„       „       „      recalled, 
Joseph  O'Connor, 
Silas  France, 
Edward  J.  Reid, 
People  Rested, 
Myrtie  Johnson, 
John  Sheppard, 
Seymour  Van  Auken, 
Libbie  Van  Auken, 
Grace  Moore, 
Ira  Hamlin, 
Frank  Gould, 
Defendant  Rested, 
People  Rested, 
Testimony  closed, 


INDEX.3 
Dr. 

4, 

206 

126, 

130, 
205 

135, 

139, 

145, 

147 

148, 

1  60, 

165, 


Cv. 


127, 

155 
132, 


140 
146 


154, 

i63 

174 

182 

189, 

194,      197 

204 

205 

206 


186, 


R-D. 


134 


R-C: 


I2Q 


206 
SILAS  PEABODY,  Sten., 

Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

1  Abbreviation  of  the  Latin  word  versus,  meaning  "  against." 
3  The  custom  appears  to  have  grown  up  of  placing  the  index  at  the  front 
of  transcript,  instead  of  at  the  end. 

3  Abbreviations     for      "  Direct-Examination,"     "  Cross-Examination," 
Re-Direct-Examination"  and  "  Re-Cross- Examination,"  which  occur  in 
the  examination  of  witnesses  in  the  chronological  order  here  given. 

4  Witnesses  are  sometimes  recalled  for  further  examination  several  times 
during  a  judicial  proceeding.     Having  been  once  sworn,  it  is  unnecessary 
to  repeat  the  oath  in  the  same  proceeding. 


196  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Transcript  Stenographer's  Notes  of  Testimony. 

(NO.     22.) 

MONTGOMERY  COUNTY  COURT. 


2  

3  JAMES  Y.  VAN  ANTWERP 

4  and  Another, 

against 

ROBERT  GILLIES. 

7  

8 

I0  This  cause  came  on  for  trial  at  a  term  of  this  court, 

i  j  held  in  and  for  the  County  of  Montgomery,  at  the  court 

12  house,  in  the  village  of  Fonda,  N.Y.,  commencing  on  the 

13  1 2th  day  of  March,  1889,  before  Hon.  John  D.  Wendell, 
!4  County  Judge,  and  a  jury. 

15  The  trial  was  begun  March  i2th,  1889,  at  9.30  a.m. 

1 6  APPEARANCES: 

17  JERE  SITTERLY,  Esq., 

18  Attorney  for  the  Plaintiff. 

19  H.  B.  CUSHNEY,  Esq., 

20  Attorney  for  the  Defendant. 

21  A  jury   having   been   duly  empaneled,  and  the  case 

22  opened  by  the  plaintiff's  attorney,  the  following  testimony 

23  was  taken  and  proceedings  had  : 

24  JAMES  VAN   ANTWERP,   plaintiff,  sworn    for   plaintiffs, 

25  on  being  examined  by  Mr.  Bitterly, 

26  testified  as  follows  : 

I  live  in  Fonda  ;  I  am  one  of  the  firm  of  Van 
Antwerp  &  Royce  ;  that  firm  was  organized  in  about  '82. 
The  business  of  that  firm  was  buying  standing  timber,  cutting 
it  and  sawing  it  into  lumber,  and  selling  the  lumber ;  we 
sold  brick  and  wood  besides.  That  firm  has  not  been  dis- 
solved :  it  is  still  in  existence.  I  know  Robert  B.  Gillies,  and 
have  known  him  ten  or  twelve  years — along  there.1 

Q.  In  1884,  did  you  sell  and  deliver  some  lumber  to  Robert 
B.  Gillies  ?  A.  I  did. 

1  Down  to  this  point,  a  sample  of  "  narrative  "  reporting  is  here  shown. 

NOTE. — It  is  not  legally  required,  but  many  law  stenographers  prepare 
their  transcripts  of  testimony  upon  paper  containing  marginal  numbering 
to  correspond  with  each  line  of  matter,  as  shown  above.  This  is  for 
convenience  of  reference  by  attorneys  in  using  the  transcript. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  197 

Q.  Can  you  state  the  time  when  you  sold  him  that  lumber, 
from  your  memory  ?  A.  I  can't  from  in}-  memory.  1 

can  from  a  book. 

Q.  At  the  time  you  made  these  sales,  did  you  make  a 
memorandum,  or  entry,  of  those  sales  ?  A.  1  did. 

Q.  Have  you  that  memorandum  ?  A.   I  have. 

Counsel :  You  may  produce  it. 
(Witness  produces  a  book.) 

Q.  At  what  time  with  reference  to  the  sales,  were  these 
memoranda  made  ?  immediately  after  the  sale  ? 

A.  Right  away,  the  same  day. 

Q.  And  as  these  memoranda  were  made  at  that  time,  were 
they  made  correctly  ?  A.  Yes,  sir ;  they  were. 

Q.  Look  at  your  memoranda  and  refresh  your  memory, 
and  state  when  the  first  sale  was  made  ? 

A.  June  the  i4th,  '84. 

Q.  Was  there  any  talk  about  a  sale  of  this  lumber  before 
any  lumber  was  delivered  at  all,  and  where  was  it  ? 

A.  Down  in  my  office,  in  the  village  of  Fonda,  on  Main  Street. 

Abstract  from   Stenographer's  Transcript  of 
Actual  Notes.1 

(No.  23.) 

Q.  At  the  time  you  deposited  that  money  to  your  credit,  did 
you  intend  to  go  to  New  York  and  make  a  settlement  with 
them  ? 

Obj.2  to  as  immaterial,  irrelevant,  improper  and  in- 
competent. Obj.  sustained. 

Q.  At  the  time  you  secured  the  proceeds  of  these  notes,  did 
you  intend  to  steal  that  money  from  the  complainants  ? 
A.  No,  sir. 

Q.  But  did  you  not  keep  it  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a 
settlement  \vith  Alphonse  Miles  &  Bros.  ? 

Obj.  to  as  immaterial,  irrelevant,  and  calls  for  a  con- 
clusion and  for  an  undisclosed  purpose  and  also 
leading. 

The  Court :  Sustained  in  that  form.     Deft.3  excepted. 

Q.  Prior  to  the  time  of  your  acting  with  these  defendants, 

had  Joseph  Manx  been  selling  goods  for  them,  do  you  know  ? 

1  Showing  objections,  rulings,  remarks  of  court,  exceptions  by  counsel. 

-  "  Obj."  an  allowable  abbreviation  in  transcript  for  "  objection,"  saving 

much  time  in  voluminous  work. 

3  Deft.,  a  permissible  abbreviation  for  "  defendant.  " 


198  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Obj.  to  as  immaterial,  irrelevant  and  improper. 
Obj.  sustained,  Deft,  excepting. 

Q.  Had  Joseph  Manx  informed  you  that  the  complainants 
had  not  settled  with  him  for  his  commissions,  and  did  he  at 
that  time  tell  you  that  they  would  not  settle  with  you  ? 
Obj.  to  as  hearsay,  improper  and  leading. 
Obj.  sustained,  Deft,  excepting. 

Q.  State  to  the  court  and  jury  the  circumstances  of  your 
going  to  Canada — when  you  decided  to  go  ? 

A.  I  came  Sunday  afternoon,  I  think  so,  seated  in  the 
house,  I  was  to  work  at  the  desk  even  then,  fixing  up  some 
things,  and  it  was  a  nice  day  and  the  train  just  got  running. 
I  says  to  my  wife,  I  am  going  to  New  York  to  night ;  I  have 
waited  now  a  number  of— 

Obj.  made  to  declarations  to  witness's  wife,  as  im- 
proper and  declarations  made  by  witness  in  his  own 
favor,  and  not  in  the  presence  or  hearing  of  the  com- 
plainants, and  neither  they,  nor  The  People,  are 
bound  by  it. 

The  Prosecution  moved  to  have  stricken  out  so  much 
of  it  as  had  been  taken  or  given  by  the  witness. 
The  Court :  How  do  you  claim  it  is  competent  ? 
Deft.'s  Counsel :  I  claim  it  is  competent  in  this  way  : 
The  prosecution  will  endeavor  to  show  that  his  trip 
into  Canada  was  not  for  a  legitimate  purpose.     I  wish 
to  show  that  it  was  for  a  legitimate  purpose,  and  I  wish 
to  show  to  this  court  and  jury  that  the  defendant's  wife 
was  in  delicate  health,  and  she  requested  him  to  take  her 
for  a  day  or  two,  and  that  they  went  to  Niagara  Falls. 
The  Court :  Yes,  I  think  you  can  show,  if  he  avowed 
publicly  that  he  was  going  to  Canada,  you  can  show  it. 
That  is  the  rule,  undoubtedly.      If  he  avowed  publicly, 
and  told  his  neighbors. 

Deft.'s  Counsel :  He  told  his  wife. 
The    Court :    We    will    overrule    it.       Prosecution 
excepted. 

Witness  :  And  she  says,  when  are  you  going  ?  I  says,  1 
guess  1  will  take  the  train.  I  can  get  in  New  York  this 
evening  and  get  a  nice  night's  rest  there.  She  says,  I  am 
going  with  you.  At  that  I  looked  up  in  kind  of  astonishment. 

1  Observe  how  counsel  breaks  into  answer  of  witness  by  objecting,  and 
how  it  is  to  be  treated  by  the  stenographer. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  199 

It  was  about  twenty  minutes  to  train  time — not  to  exceed 
thirty  minutes  to  train  time.  I  says,  you  are  not  read}'.  She 
says,  I  am  ready  enough,  all  I  have  to  do  is  to  slip  on  my 
sack.  She  says,  I  am  all  ready  to  go.  I  kind  of  thought  of  it 
a  minute,  and  I  says,  really,  I  thought  you  were  fooling, 
really,  you  don't  mean  it,  do  you  ?  Yes,  she  says,  I  am  going 
with  you.  Well,  I  says,  get  ready  and  come  on,  and  I  laughed 
then,  thought  it  was  only  a  nice  day,  she  would  take  a  ride 
down  as  far  as  Fonda  and  come  back  home.  I  says,  get 
ready  then  and  come  on.  She  grabbed  up  her  little  grip  and 
we  started.  When  we  got  down  to  Fonda  she  says  to  me,  I 
wish  you  could  take  a  day  or  two  with  me,  can't  you  ?  Well, 
I  says,  now,  I  might  possibly,  but  I  hadn't  ought  to,  I  says, 
because  for  the  simple  reason  I  have  delayed  now  going  to 
New  York  on  account  of  waiting  for  goods  to  arrive  to  get  the 
cash  for,  which  are  to  arrive,  and  have  not  arrived  and  so  that 
I  could  deliver  them  ;  and  I  says,  that  has  bothered  me,  and  I 
am  late  now  ;  I  want  to  get  to  New  York  and  settle  with 
Miles.  I  says,  you  know  that  I  have  been  repeatedly  and 

tried  to  get  a  settlement ;  they  never  had  time  to  settle 

Obj.  made  that  it  was  a  declaration  made  by  deft  to 

his  wife  not  in  the  presence  of  anybody 

Witness  :  I  says,  where  would  you  like  to  go  ?  She  says,  I 
don't  know,  I  would  like  to  go  somewheres.  I  must  get  out  of 
this,  she  says,  I  am  sick  and  so  nervous.  Well,  I  says,  I  don't 
know,  I  will  look  the  train  up.  And  there  was  some  other 
people  right  there ;  talked  together.  I  says,  say,  come  on,  I 
will  give  you  a  day's  ride  that  will  tire  you  out,  I  think,  so  you 
won't  want  to  take  any  more  trips  with  me.  It  will  be  no 
pleasure  for  you  to  be  in  New  York  with  me,  because  I  can't 
see  to  you  at  all. 

Abstract  from  Transcript  Stenographer's  Notes 
Examination  of  Jurors. 

(No.  24.) 

[Title  of  Court  and  case  to  be  inserted  here.] 
The  Court :  I  give  notice  that  the  defendant  must  examine 
the  juror  as  he  is  sworn,  and  that  when  a  juror  goes  into  the 
box,  he  will  sit  in  the  case  as  a  juror.  The  defendant  must 
exercise  his  right  of  peremptory  challenge.  On  suggestion  of 
the  defendant's  counsel,  I  make  that  holding  now,  and  give 
notice  accordingly. 


200  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS"  DICTATION    TOOK. 

CORNELL  GIFFORD,  being  sworn  as  a  witness  as  to  his  qualifi- 
cations as  a  juror  herein,  upon  being  examined  by 
District  Attorney  Jenkins,  testified  as  follows  : 

Q.  Where  do  you  reside  ?  A.  Cranberry  Creek. 

Q.  What  is  your  business  ?  A.  Farmer. 

Q.  You  know  Jerome  Benson  ? 

A.  I  never  spoke  to  him,  as  I  know  of,  in  my  life. 

Q.  You  have  heard  this  matter  discussed,  have  you,  con- 
siderably ? 

A.  I  ain't  heard  it  spoke  of  only  just  now,  and  then  I  heard 
such  a  person  died,  etc. ;  like  that. 

Q.  Have  you  read  about  the  case  in  the  papers  ? 

A.  Have  I  read  about  it  ?  We  take  the  S—  —  paper. 
We  don't  take  no  other  paper.  It  is  not  in  that  paper. 

CROSS-EXAMINATION  BY  MR.  JACKSON. 

Q.  You  know  of  no  reason  why  you  would  not  make  a  good 
and  impartial  juror  in  this  case?  A.  No,  I  do  not. 

Q.  And  would  decide  the  case  according  to  the  evidence  ? 

A.  Why,  certainly. 

Q.  Do  you  know  of  any  reason  why  you  cannot  hear  the 
testimony  in  this  case,  and  render  a  fair  and  impartial  verdict 
between  The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  this  defen- 
dant ?  A.  I  do  not ;  no,  sir. 

Q.  You  know  John  Brown  ? 

Objected  to  as  incompetent,  improper  and  inadmissi- 
ble.    Objection  overruled.     Exception. 

A.  Yes,  sir. 

Q.  And  if  you  were  sworn  as  a  juror  in  this  case,  would  }^ou 
give  the  defendant  the  "benefit  of  every  reasonable  doubt,  the 
same  as  you  would  any  other  man  engaged  in  any  other 
business  ?  A.  I  would. 

Q.  Do  you  know  of  any  reason,  whether  one  that  has  been 
discussed  here  or  not,  why  you  cannot  take  your  seat  in  the 
jury-box,  and  listen  to  the  testimony  and  the  instructions  of 
the  Court,  and  render  a  fair  and  impartial  verdict  between  The 
People  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  this  defendant  ? 

A.  I  do  not. 

Q.  And  if  accepted  as  a  juror,  you  think  you  could  disabuse 
your  mind  of  any  opinion  you  may  have,  or  prejudice,  far 
enough  to  render  an  impartial  verdict  on  the  evidence  alone  ? 


LEGAL    FORMS.  2OI 

A.  If  selected  as  a  juror,  I  should  give  in  my  verdict 
according  to  the  evidence. 

Q.  Regardless  of  any  prejudice  you  might  have  regarding 
the  liquor  business?  A.  Yes,  sir. 

Q.  You  do  not  believe  that  what  you  have  heard  outside, 
has  influenced  your  mind  ?  A.  No,  sir. 

The  challenge  to  the  witness  was  overruled,  the  Court 
holding  that  the  witness  is  qualified. 

Charge  of  Judge,  Requests  of  Counsel  to  Charge  and 

Questions  by  Juror.     From  Stenographer's  Actual 

Court  Notes. 

(No.  25.) 

Counsel  for  the  respective  parties  having  submitted  their 
arguments  to  the  jury,  the  court  gave  the  following  charge  to 
the  jury  : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Jury :  You  have  heard  the  indictment  in 
this  case  read,  which  charges  this  defendant  with  having 
violated  what  is  known  as  the  "  Liquor  Tax  Law,"  in  having 
sold  intoxicating  liquors  on  the  i5th  day  of  July,  1900,  which 
was  Sunday,  at  the  town  of  Johnstown,  in  the  County  of  Fulton. 

You  well  understand  the  law  that  the  traffic  in  intoxicating 
liquors  is  forbidden  by  statute,  excepting  under  certain  re- 
strictions ;  and  no  person  is  allowed  to  sell,  or  give  away,  on 
Sunday,  under  any  circumstances,  so  far  as  that  law  applies 
to  counties,  or  districts,  of  this  kind  that  we  have  here. 

Some  suggestion  has  been  made  in  your  presence  and 
hearing  that  this  case  has  once  been  tried.  That  should  have 
no  influence  with  you  when  you  come  to  consider  it  and 
dispose  of  it.  Whatever  ma}'  have  occurred  prior  to  this  time 
should  not  swerve  you  in  the  discharge  of  your  duties,  in  the 
least,  in  considering  and  disposing  of  the  case.  We  take  it 
up  here,  and  must  treat  it,  as  a  new  case  entirely,  disposing  of 
it  without  any  reference  to  the  action  of  any  former  court  or 
jury. 

Now,  The  People  have  called  three  witnesses  who  have 
testified  in  your  presence  and  hearing,  and  which  is  claimed 
by  the  learned  counsel  for  The  People  to  have  made  a  case 
which  would  justify  a  verdict  of  conviction  in  this  case.  One 
of  these  is  an  officer  of  the  State,  who  testifies  that  he  has 
been  appointed  as  such  ;  is  a  member  of  the  State  department 


202  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

that  has  charge  of  the  matters  under  this  law.  If  we  were  to 
read  the  Act,  we  would  find  that  the  Act  itself  provides  that 
the  authorities— certain  officers  may  designate  these  officers, 
whose  business  it  is  to  go  about  through  the  entire  State  and 
investigate  and  see  whether  or  not  this  law  is  being  violated 
by  people  who  are  holding  even  a  tax  certificate  which 
authorizes  them  to  deal  in  certain  ways,  either  as  hotel- 
keepers,  or  store-keepers,  or  druggists.  Some  criticism  has 
been  made  upon  this  gentleman's  testimony  b}^  counsel ;  but 
you  are  to  say  whether  or  not  he  has  sworn  to  the  truth  before 
you.  The  great  fact  which  you  are  to  consider  and  determine 
is,  whether  or  not  this  law  was  violated  by  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquors,  contrary  to  its  provisions,  on  the  occasion 
referred  to  in  this  indictment. 

If  you  should  come  to  the  conclusion  from  the  testimony  of 
these  three  men  together,  that  the  testimony  that  has  been 
given  with  reference  to  the  charge  against  the  defendant  is 
true,  why,  of  course,  }rou  would  be  warranted  in  finding  a 
verdict  of  "  guilty." 

You  may  find  seme  very  serious  dispute  about  the  question 
as  to  whether  or  not  this  liquor  was  sold  ;  but  there  does  not 
seem  to  be  very  much  question  about  that  fact,  because  the 
three  witnesses  called  by  The  People,  as  well  as  the  defendant, 
himself,  have  testified  to  the  carrying  of  the  liquor  from  one 
room  to  another  where  these  people  were,  and  having  received 
the  pay  himself  for  it. 

The  main  defense  is,  that  they  came  there  and  ordered, 
and  that  he  undertook  to  serve  it  as  a  part  of,  a  meal.  It  is 
for  you  to  determine  whether  the  defense  is  a  good  one  or  not. 

Now  the  statute  defines  who  a  guest  of  a  hotel  is.  And 
there  is  no  question  but  that  this  place,  Palais  Royale,  is  a 
hotel  being  kept  there  by  Mrs.  Jones  ;  that  she  then  held  a  tax 
certificate  which  gave  her  the  right  to  lawfully  deal  in  the  sale 
of  intoxicating  liquors  under  the  restrictions  which  are  pro- 
vided by  this  same  statute,  one  of  which  is  that  she  shall  not, 
nor  her  agent  or  servant,  or  anybody  else,  sell,  or  give  away, 
any  liquor  on  Sunday.  "The  holder  of  a  liquor  tax  certifi- 
cate who  is  the  keeper  of  a  hotel,  may  sell  liquor  to  the 
guests  of  such  hotel  with  their  meals,  or  in  their  rooms  there- 
in, but  not  in  the  bar-room  or  other  similar  room  of  such 
hotel."  Were  these  men  guests  of  this  hotel  ?  It  is  for  you 
to  determine.  Two  of  them  were  men  who  lived  within  a, 


LEGAL    FORMS.  203 

few  rods  of  this  place.  The  other  man  was  a  special  agent  of 
the  State  Commissioner  of  Excise.  The  manner  of  their 
going  there,  where  they  went  when  they  arrived  there,  and 
what  they  did,  have  been  given  to  you  in  detail.  Did  the 
relationship  of  guests  attach  to  them  and  this  hotel-keeper  ? 
It  is  for  you  to  determine.  Was  the  liquor  being  sold  in  good 
faith  as  a  part  of  a  meal  ?  So  far  as  the  evidence  goes,  as  I 
remember  it,  there  was  no  meal  being  served  in  the  room 
where  the  liquor  was  sold,  and  where  the  pay  was  delivered  for 
the  liquor. 

The  statute  further  defines  a  guest  as  "a  person  who,  during 
the  hours  when  meals  are  regularly  served  therein,  resorts  to 
the  hotel  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining,  and  actually  orders  and 
obtains  at  such  time,  in  good  faith,  a  meal  therein." 

You  are  to  consider  all  the  evidence  bearing  upon  this 
question,  and,  if  you  come  to  the  conclusion,  upon  the  evidence 
in  this  case,  that  these  men  were  guests,  and  that  they  went 
there  and  ordered  and  obtained  a  meal,  and  the  liquor  they 
received  was  a  part  of  the  meal — if  you  come  to  that  conclu- 
sion, the  defendant  would  be  entitled  to  your  verdict.  But  if, 
on  the  other  hand,  you  come  to  the  conclusion  in  this  case, 
that  these  men  went  there,  and  they  called  for  liquor,  and  it 
was  dealt  out  to  them  by  the  defendant,  as  has  been  described, 
and  he  received  the  pay  for  it,  and  that  it  was  not  a  part  of  a 
meal,  you  understand  what  your  duty  would  be,  under  the 
statute,  in  this  case. 

As  you  well  understand,  in  a  criminal  case,  the  defendant 
is  presumed  to  be  innocent ;  and,  if  there  is  a  reasonable 
doubt  arising  from  the  testimony  in  the  case,  he  is  entitled  to 
the  benefit  of  that  doubt. 

Take  the  case  and  dispose  of  it  as  you  feel  the  facts  in  it 
justify  you  doing. 

Defendant's  Counsel:  May  it  please  the  court:  I  understand 
your  honor  has  charged  that,  if  the  witnesses  were  actually 
guests,  and  had  ordered  meals,  and  all  done  in  good  faith, 
defendant  had  the  right  to  sell  at  that  time. 

The  Court :  Yes,  sir ;  if  they  can  find  that. 

Defendant's  counsel  requested  the  court  to  charge  as  follows : 

I. — That  if  the  witnesses  ordered  a  meal,  and  it  was  prepared 
for  them,  the  defendant  was  not  obliged  to  compel  the  wit- 
nesses to  actually  partake  of  the  meal,  in  order  to  avoid  the 
statute. 


204  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

The  Court :  I  decline  to  charge  that  proposition, 
To  the  refusal  of  the  court  to  charge  as  requested, 
defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

II. — That  if  the  jury  believe  that  a  meal  was  ordered  in 
good  faith,  the  bad  faith  of  the  witnesses,  or  the  witness 
Floyd,  would  not  operate  to  make  the  defendant  guilty. 

The  Court :  I  decline  to  so  charge,  or  to  charge 
otherwise  than  I  have. 

Defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

Defendant's  Counsel :  The  proposition  is  this  :  That 
if  the  defendant  believed,  from  the  order  given  to  him, 
that  they  intended  to  take  it,  in  good  faith,  and  there 
was  bad  faith  on  their  part,  that  that  bad  faith  could 
not  be  charged  to  him. 

The  Court :  I  decline  to  charge  that,  under  the  facts 
in  this  case. 

Defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

III. — That  the  defendant  could  not  be  chargeable  with  bad 
faith,  unless  he  was  a  party  to  it ;  and  that  that  is  the  intent 
of  the  statute  where  it  says,  if  the  meal  is  ordered  in  good  faith. 
The  Court :  I  leave  it  to  the  jury  to  say. 
To  the  refusal  of  the  court  to  charge  as  requested, 
defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

IV. — That  the  jury  have  a  right  to  take  into  consideration, 
in  rendering  their  verdict,  the  fact  that,  upon  a  former  trial  of 
the  same  indictment,  a  piece  of  evidence,  of  strong  evidence, 
was  left  out  and  withheld. 

The   Court :    I    decline   to   so   charge.      To    which 
refusal  the  defendant's  counsel  excepted. 
By  a  Juror:  The  law  says  "obtains."     If  a  transient  guest, 
a  stranger  comes  along,  and  orders  a  meal,  before  the  meal  is 
served,  or  before  there  is  anything  eatable  in  sight,  has  the 
hotel-keeper   a   right,    upon    the   ordering   of   that   meal,    to 
furnish  liquor  to  the  guest  ?     Has  he  obtained  the  meal  by 
simply  ordering  it  ?     I  think  1  understand  it. 

The  Court :  As  matter  of  law,  we  think  not. 
Defendant's  Counsel :  That  he  is  not  a  guest? 
The  Court :  That  he  is  not. 

Defendant's  Counsel:  We  except  to  your  honor's 
charge  in  which  your  honor  said,  in  substance,  that  he 
must  partake  of  a  meal,  or  have  a  meal,  in  order  to  be 
a  guest. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  205 

The  Court:  I  did  not  say. that.      I  have  not  said  that 

in  my  charge.      If  you  [the  jury]  find  that  he  became  a 

guest  of  the  hotel,  and  that  the  liquor  was  served  as  a 

part  of  that  meal,  then  he  has  not  violated  the  statute. 

By  the  same  Juror:   The  question  was:  Whether  simply 

ordering  the  meal  has  made  him  a  guest,  and  whether  the 

hotel-keeper   had   the   right   to   serve  the  liquor  before  any 

meal,  or  any  semblance  of  a  meal — if  he  hadn't  taken  pay  for 

the  meal ;  if  he  hadn't  presented  the  meal.      It  says  "obtain," 

you  know. 

The  Court:  "Ordering  and  obtaining." 
By  same  Juror:  I  want  to  know  whether  a  man  has  obtained 
a  meal  because  he  simply  orders  it ;  or,  whether  if  the  hotel- 
keeper 

The  Court  (interrupting):  I  do  not  think  that  is  the  meaning 
of  the  statute.  "  Orders  and  obtains." 

By  the  same  Juror:  If  the  hotel-keeper  sold  him  the  liquor 
before  he  obtained  the  meal,  and  before  he  had  a  right,  then 
he  was  violating  the  law,  wasn't  he  ? 

The  Court :  You  are  to  determine  whether  that  is  a  part  of 
the  meal. 

Defendant's  counsel  excepted  to  the  ruling  of  the 
court,  and  answer  to  the  question  by  the  juror,  and 
requested  the  court  to  charge  that,  when  a  person 
orders  a  meal,  he  is,  from  that  time,  a  guest  of  the  hotel. 
The  Court:  I  decline  to  so  charge.  To  which  refusal 
the  defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

V. — That  if  a  stranger  comes  to  a  hotel,  whether  alone,  or 
with  residents  01  the  place  where  the  hotel  is  kept,  and  orders 
a  meal,  and  the  defendant  believes  that  the  order  is  in  good 
faith,  that,  constitutes  a  guest,  and  the  relationship  of  hotel- 
keeper  and  guest. 

The  Court:  May,  as  between  a  stranger,  yes,  sir,  if  he 
comes  and  takes  a  room. 

To  the  request  as  modified,  the  defendant  excepts, 
and  asks  the  court  to  charge  that  it  is  not  necessary  for 
a  guest  to  procure  a  room. 

The  Court :  I  decline  to  so  charge.  I  will  call  your  [the 
jury's]  attention  to  the  statute  once  more.  "A  person  who  in 
good  taith,  occupies  a  room  in  a  hotel  as  a  temporary  home, 
and  pays  the  regular  customary  charges  for  such  occupancy, 
but  who  does  not  occupy  such  room  for  the  purpose  of  having 


206  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

liquor  served  therein,"  is  a  guest  of  the  hotel.  First:  Did 
these  people,  on  this  occasion,  go  to  that  hotel  and  obtain  a 
room  for  a  temporary  home  ?  And  did  they  pay  the  regular 
customary  charges  for  such  occupancy,  and  did  not  occupy  it 
for  the  purpose  of  having  liquor  served  therein,  is  a  question 
for  you  to  determine,  under  all  the  evidence  in  this  case. 
And  second :  A  person  who,  during  the  hours  when  meals  are 
regularly  served  therein,  resorts  to  the  hotel  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining,  and  actually  orders  and  obtains  at  such  time,  in 
good  faith,  a  meal  therein,  is  a  guest  of  the  hotel  within  the 
meaning  of  the  liquor  tax  law. 

VI. — That  a  person  may  be  a  guest  of  a  hotel  without 
being  assigned  to  a  room  or  ordering  a  meal. 

The  Court:  I  decline  to  so  charge.  To  which  refusal 
the  defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

VII. — And  that  the  question  of  good  faith  is  not  one  on  the 
part  of  the  guest,  but  on  the  part  of  the  landlord. 

The  Court :  I  decline  to  so  charge  in  this  case.  To 
which  refusal  the  defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

The  jury  retired  for  deliberation,  in  charge  of  an 
officer. 

The  jury  came  into  court  and  rendered  a  verdict  of 
"guilty." 

The  court  permitted  the  defendant's  counsel  to 
reserve  until  a  later  day  of  the  term,  the  making  of 
such  motions  as  he  might  desire. 

Defendant's  counsel  moved  that  the  verdict  of  the 
jury  be  set  aside,  and  for  a  new  trial,  upon  the  minutes 
of  the  court,  exceptions  taken  during  the  trial,  and  upon 
all  the  grounds  specified  in  the  Code. 

The  court  entertained,  and  denied,  the  motion. 
Defendant's  counsel  excepted. 

The  District  Attorney  moved  that  sentence  be  now 
pronounced  upon  the  defendant. 

The  court  thereupon  sentenced  the  defendant  to  pay 
a  fine  of  one  hundred  dollars,  and  that  he  stand  com- 
mitted to  the  county  jail  one  day  for  each  dollar  until 
the  fine  be  paid. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  2OJ 

Abstract    from    Stenographer's   Transcript    of   Actual 

Notes  of  Testimony  of  Medical  Expert  Witness. 

(No.  26.) 

ADAM  EVE,  sworn  for  The  People,  on  being  examined 
by  District  Attorney  Hopkins,  testified  as  follows  : 

Q.  You  reside  in  Hopeville?  A.  Yes,  sir. 

Q.  And  are  a  duly  licensed,  practising  physician  and 
surgeon  ?  A.  Yes,  sir  ? 

Q.  And  have  been  for  how  many  years?         A.  Fort}'  years. 

Q.  Did  you  know  John  Doe  in  his  lifetime  ?         A.   No,  sir. 

Q.  Did  you  assist  in  the  autopsy  upon  the  body  of  John 
Doe  ?  A.  Yes,  sir.1 

Q.  Will  you  state  to  the  court  and  jury  what  you  dis- 
covered with  reference  to  any  wounds  or  bruises  or  fractures 
on  his  body  ? 

A.  We  found  an  injury  to  the  left  side  of  the  face — a 
contusion — covering  a  space  of  about  three  inches,  or  three 
and  a  half  inches,  in  length,  by  two  inches  wide,  extending 
from  the  crown  of  the  skull,  crossing  down  across  the  ear  to 
the  mastoid  portion  there  (indicating).2  And  we  deemed  it 
expedient  to  make  a  dissection  of  the  brain.  Removed  the 
skull-cap  by  making  a  transverse  incision  through  the  heed. 
We  found,  upon  removing  the  skull,  a  large  blood  clot  on  the 
brain,  containing  about  six  ounces  of  fluid — six  ounces  of 
blood.  We  made  a  dissection  from  the  blood  clot  down  to  its 
origin,  and  found  a  rupture  of  one  of  the  small  arteries — one 
of  the  meningeal  arteries  that  furnishes  blood  to  the  brain. 
And  at  the  junction  of  the  parietal  bones  we  found  a  fracture 
of  about  three  quarters  of  an  inch,  transversely  in  its  separa- 
tion—  fracture  of  the  skull.  We  found  this  wound  of  three 
or  three  and  a  half  inches  badly  contused  ;  not  lacerated. 
But  the  laceration  of  the  vessel,  causing  the  leakage  of  blood, 
together  with  the  fracture  and  clot,  of  course,  were  the  cause  of 
death.  We  found  a  small  mark  on  the  left  side  of  the  temple, 
and  a  mark  was  found  on  the  left  shoulder  about  two  inches 
below  the  scapula.  That  is,  in  brief,  about  what  we  found. 

Q.  In  your  opinion,  would  a  fall  have  produced  such  an 
injury  as  you  there  found  ? 

1  If  the  stenographer  desires,  he  may  record  the  questions  and  answers 

down  to  this  point  in  the  narrative  form,  which  is  shown  in  Form  No.  22. 

-  Meaning  that  the  witness  pointed  out  upon  himself  the  spot  described. 


208  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Objected  to  as  incompetent,  immaterial,  irrelevant 
and  improper,  and  not  the  subject  of  expert  testimony, 
but  a  matter  which  a  layman  may  as  well  know  ;  that 
there  is  no  foundation  laid  which  would  entitle  the 
prosecuting  attorney  to  interrogate  this  witness  in 
regard  thereto.  Obj.  sustained. 

CROSS-EXAMINATION   BY   MR.    MURPHY. 

Q.  Describe  the  wound  on  the  right  side  of  the  head  that 
you  discovered? 

A.  That  was  simply  a  contusion,  what  we  would  call  an 
ecchymotic  spot.  In  common  parlance,  a  black-and-blue  spot. 

RE-DlRECT-ExAMINATION     BY    THE     DISTRICT     ATTORNEY. 

Q.  Describe  the  difference  in  the  results  between  a  person 

receiving  such  a  blow — as  to  what  direct  result  such  an  injury 

would  have,  whether  they  were  standing  up  or  lying  down  ? 

Same  objection  as  before  to  last  preceding  question. 

Obj.  overruled.     Deft  excepted. 

A.  The  effect  would  be  that  there  would  be  more  extravasa- 
tion of  blood  to  the  brain  after  a  man  lay  down,  on  account 
of  the  parts,  what  little  vitality  there  was  there,  would  be 
warmer ;  more  blood  would  be  sent  through  the  heart,  and  it 
would  be  carried  through  the  vessels  and  leave  more  of  a  clot. 
As  you  indicate,  the  standing  up  would  allow  the  pressure  of 
the  blood  to  be  removed  from  the  brain,  and  there  would  be 
less  ecchymotic  condition. 

Transcript  of  Stenographer's  Notes  showing  Method  of 
Treating  Exhibits. 

(No.  27.) 

[Here  insert  Title  of  Court  and  Case  as  in  previous  Forms.] 
JOSEPH   JOHNSON,    sworn    for   the    plaintiff,    on    being- 
examined  by  Mr.  Balcom,  testified  as  follows : 
Q.  Are  you  the  City  Clerk  of  the   City  of  Johnstown  ? 
A.   I  am. 

Q.  Have  you  in  your  possession,  as  such  City  Clerk,  the 
deed  which  the  City  of  Johnstown  received  from  Thomas 
Tobasco,  transferring  his  interest  in  what  is  now  New 
Street  ?  A.  I  have. 

Q.  Will  you  produce  it  ? 

Witness  produced  a  paper,  which  was  marked  '' 
Ex.  A.,"  for  identification. 


LEGAL    FORMS.  2O<j 

Q.  I  show  you  paper,  marked  "  Pl'ff's  Ex.  A.,"  and  ask  you 
whether  or  not  you  saw  Thomas  Tobasco  execute  that  paper 
and  deliver  it  to  the  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Johnstown,  on  or 
about  the  day  of  its  date  ?  A.  I  did. 

Pl'ff  offered  Ex.  A.  in  evidence. 

Objected  to  as  improper  and  inadmissible,  for  the 
reason  that  the  paper,  upon  its  face,  discloses  the  fact 
that  the  internal  revenue  tax  has  not  been  paid  thereon. 
Objection  overruled,  the  court  holding  that,  although 
it  appeared  affirmatively,  that  the  proper  tax  had  not 
been  paid  on  the  transfer  of  the  realty  described  in  the 
instrument,  yet  that  did  not  render  the  paper  inadmis- 
sible, inasmuch  as  Congress  could  not  enact  any  law  that 
would  directly,  or  indirectly,  change  or  nullify  the  rules 
of  evidence  in  the  States  of  the  union.  Deft  excepted. 
Plaintiff's  Ex.  A.  received  and  read  in  evidence,  con- 
sisting of  a  warranty  deed,  dated  and  acknowledged 
December  25,  1900,  from  Thomas  Tobasco,  to  The  City 
of  Johnstown,  recorded  on  the  26th  day  of  December, 
1900,  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  County  of  Fulton, 
in  Book  of  Deeds  No.  104  at  page  95,  and  describes  a 
portion  of  the  land  in  suit. 

CROSS-EXAMINATION  BY  MR.  RIGGS. 

Q.  Have  you  in  your  possession  as  Clerk  of  the  City  of 
Johnstown  a  deed  from  Thomas  Tobasco  to  the  defendant  ? 
A.   I  have. 
Q.  Will  you  produce  it  ? 

Witness  produced  a  paper,  which  was  marked  "  Def't's 
Ex.  No.  i,"  for  identification. 

Q.  Look  at  that  paper  (Def't's  Ex.  No.   i  shown  witness), 
Mr.  Clerk,  and  state  whether  or  not  you  saw  Thomas  Tobasco 
execute  it,  and  thereafter  deliver  it  to  the  defendant  ?     A    I  did. 
Deft  offered  in  evidence  Def't's  Ex.  No.  r,  which  was 
received  without  objection  and  read  in  evidence,  con- 
sisting of  a  deed  from  Thomas  Tobasco  to  the  defendant, 
of  the  land  in  suit,  and  dated  December  i,  1900,  recorded 
in  Fulton  County  Clerk's  Office  in  Book  of  Deeds  No. 
104  at  page  5. 

Plaintiff  moved  to  strike  out  Def't's  Ex.  i,  upon  the 
ground  that  it  was  neither  acknowledged  nor  witnessed. 
The  Court :  Upon  the  testimony  as  it  now  stands,  I 
will  strike  it  out.     Deft  excepted. 

1.1  D.   X, 


210  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Official  Form  for  Stenographer's  Transcript  of 
Examination  of  a  Bankrupt,  or  Witness,  in  Bankruptcy. 

(No.  28.) 

In  The  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  [here  insert 
designation  of  district,  as  Northern,  Western,  Southern] 
District  of  [here  insert  name  of  State  or  Territory]. 

In  the  Matter  of  1     in  Bankruptcy. 

N  Bankru  t      I    No>  (insert  number  of  case). 


At  [insert  name  of  place  where  hearing  held],  in  said  district, 
on  the  [insert  date],  A.D.  1900,  before  [insert  name  of  referee], 
one  of  the  reterees  in  bankruptcy  of  said  court. 

John  Doe,  of  [insert  residence]  in  the  County  of and 

State  of — ,  being  duly  sworn  and  examined  at  the  time 

and  place  above  mentioned,  upon  his  oath  says : 

I  am  the  bankrupt.  I  know  Richard  Roe.  Previous  to  the 
filing  of  my  petition  in  bankruptcy  I  owed  him  $500,  and 
within  four  months  previous  to  the  filing  of  my  petition  1  paid 
said  Roe  a  part  of  his  claim.  I  paid  him  $250  of  his  claim  on 
the  [insert  date  of  payment]. 

Mr.  Johnson,  attorney  for  the  bankrupt,  objected  to  the 
claim  filed  by  Richard  Roe  in  this  proceeding,  upon  the 
ground  that  it  now  appears  that  said  Roe,  within  four  months 
immediately  preceding  the  filing  of  the  petition  in  this  pro- 
ceeding, was  paid  the  sum  of  $250,  upon  account  of  his  claim 
against  the  bankrupt,  and  that  thereby  said  Roe  has  received  a 
preference ;  and  Mr.  Johnson  also,  thereupon  moved  that  the 
claim  of  said  Roe  for  the  balance  of  his  claim  be  disallowed, 
unless  the  said  Roe  refunds  the  said  sum  of  $250  so  paid  to 
him,  and  that  he  be  not  permitted  to  file  his  claim  until  said 
sum  is  so  refunded  by  him. 

Messrs.  Bascom,  attorney  for  Joseph  Riggs  (creditor), 
Benson,  attorney  for  Henderson  (creditor),  and  Bulger,  attor- 
ney for  Poltisch  (creditor),  joined  in  the  foregoing  objection 
and  motion  of  the  bankrupt's  attorney. 

The  referee  sustained  the  objection,  and  granted  the  motion, 
disallowing  the  claim,  without  prejudice,  however,  to  Richard 
Roe  to  file  his  claim  for  full  amount  of  $500,  upon  refunding, 
to  the  proper  person  the  sum  of  $250  paid  to  him  by  the 
bankrupt  within  four  months  previous  to  the  filing  of  the 
petition  in  this  proceeding. 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS. 

MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS. 


Monroe   Doctrine. 

The  citizens  of  the  United  States  cherish  sentiments  the 
most  friendly  in  favor  of  the  liberty  and  happiness  of  their 
fellow-men  on  that  side  of  the  Atlantic.  In  the  wars  of  the 
European  powers,  in  matters  relating  to  themselves,  we  have 
never  taken  any  part,  nor  does  it  comport  with  our  policy  so 
to  do.  It  is  only  when  our  rights  are  invaded,  or  seriously 
menaced,  that  we  resent  injuries  or  make  preparations  for  our 
defence.  With  the  movements  in  this  hemisphere,  we  are,  of 
necessity,  more  immediately  connected,  and  by  causes  which 
must  be  obvious  to  all  enlightened  and  impartial  observers. 
The  political  system  of  the  allied  powers  is  essentially  different, 
in  this  respect,  from  that  of  America.  This  difference  proceeds 
from  that  which  exists  in  their  respective  Governments.  And 
to  the  defence  of  our  own,  which  has  been  achieved  by  the 
loss  of  so  much  blood  and  treasure,  and  matured  by  the  wis- 
dom of  their  most  enlightened  citizens,  and  under  which  we 
have  enjoyed  unexampled  felicity,  this  whole  nation  is  devoted. 

We  owe  it,  therefore,  to  candor  and  to  the  amicable  relations 
existing  between  the  United  States  and  those  powers,  to 
declare,  that  we  should  consider  any  attempt  on  their  part  to 
extend  their  system  to  any  portion  of  this  hemisphere,  as 
dangerous  to  our  peace  and  safety. 

With  the  existing  colonies  or  dependencies  of  any  European 
power,  we  have  not  interfered,  and  shall  not  interfere.  But, 
with  the  Governments  who  have  declared  their  independence, 
and  maintained  it,  and  whose  independence  we  have,  on  great 
consideration,  and  on  just  principles  acknowledged,  we  could 
not  view  any  interposition  for  the  purpose  of  oppressing  them, 
or  controlling,  in  any  other  manner,  their  destiny,  by  any 
European  power,  in  any  other  light  than  as  the  manifestation 
of  an  unfriendly  disposition  towards  the  United  States. 

In  the  war  between  those  new  Governments  and  Spain,  we 
declared  our  neutrality  at  the  time  of  their  recognition,  and  to 
this  we  have  adhered,  and  shall  continue  to  adhere,  provided 
no  change  shall  occur,  which,  in  the  judgement  of  the  compe- 
tent authorities  of  this  Government,  shall  make  a  corresponding 
change  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  indispensable  to  their 
security.  (357) 


212  TWENTIETH    CENTURY   BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

The  Right  to  Acquire  Territory. 

Since  the  formation  of  our  Government  the  right  to  acquire 
territory  has  never  been  successfully  denied.  The  only  con- 
troversy that  has  ever  existed  respecting  this  question  has 
been  as  to  the  source  of  the  power  and  the  purposes  for  which 
it  may  be  exercised.  So  far  as  the  question  of  the  right  of 
acquisition  is  concerned,  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States  has  repeatedly  recognized  that  power.  In  view  of  these 
decisions,  which  hold  that  the  power  to  acquire  may  be  traced 
to  either  one  of  two  sources,  and  that  this  power  in  its  very 
nature  can  not  be  limited  to  any  specific  purpose,  I  shall  not 
take  the  time  of  the  house  to  discuss  at  any  length  the  position 
taken  by  our  friends  on  the  other  side  upon  this  branch  of  the 
question. 

The  powers  and  the  rights  of  the  sovereign  nations  of  the 
world  are  equal.  National  constitutions  as  between  nations  are 
unknown.  The  United  States  in  its  external  or  international 
relations  is  assumed  by  all  other  sovereignties  to  possess 
absolute  powers  unrestrained  by  constitutional  limitations. 
Possessing  therefore,  every  attribute  of  national  sovereignty, 
and,  as  said  by  Justice  Lamar,  "  the  Federal  Government 
being  the  exclusive  representative  and  medium  of  the  sovereign 
nation,"  it  follows  that  an}'  power  possessed  by  any  sovereignty 
is  possessed  by  the  United  States  and,  unless  specifically 
prohibited  by  the  Constitution,  can  be  exercised  without  re- 
striction by  the  Federal  Government. 

It  is  true  that  the  war  and  treaty  making  power  is  in  express 
terms  given  by  the  Constitution  to  the  nation.  But  the  war 
and  treaty  making  power  is  not  created  by  the  Constitution  ; 
it  merely  designates  the  agencies  for  its  exercise.  It  will  not 
be  assumed  that  had  such  agencies  not  been  designated  our 
nation  could  not  have  waged  the  wars  and  made  the  treaties 
of  our  history. 

A  nation  needs  no  express  grant  of  power  for  an  inter- 
national act,  and  it  has  specific  authority  for  but  very  few. 

The  right  to  acquire  territory  irrespective  of  its  location, 
contiguous  or  foreign,  by  conquest,  treaty,  purchase  or  dis- 
covery, is  an  acknowledged  and  well  established  attribute  of 
sovereignty  and  has  been  exercised  by  the  sovereign  nations 
of  the  world  from  the  beginning  of  history.  No  one  will 
pretend  to  say  that  this  inherent  and  unlimited  right  of 
sovereignty  is  specifically  renounced  in  the  Constitution  or  is 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  -  I  ^ 

limited  to  the  acquisition  of  territory  only  for  a  specific  pur- 
pose. Hence  it  remains  an  unlimited  attribute  of  the  sovereign 
people  of  the  United  States,  and  Congress  and  the  President 
have  been  designated  by  the  people  as  the  sole  and  exclusive 
agents  to  whom  has  been  delegated  the  exercise  of  this 
sovereign  right. — Hon.  James  A.  Tawney.  (45°) 

Government  and  Currency. 

i  desire  now  to  direct  attention  to  the  fact  that  this  measure- 
works  the  necessary  reform  in  our  monetary  affairs  in 
accordance  with  the  principles  of  sound  monetary  science. 
It  recognizes  the  incontestable  truth  that  paper  currency,  to 
be  kept  at  a  parity  with  standard  money,  must  be  convertible 
into  it  directly  or  indirectly.  Daniel  Webster  declared  that 
something  must  be  discovered  that  has  hitherto  escaped  the 
observation  of  mankind  before  you  can  give  to  paper  intended 
for  circulation  the  value  of  a  metallic  currency  any  longer 
than  it  is  convertible  into  it  at  the  will  of  the  holder.  Another 
sound  doctrine  underlying  the  measure  is  that  the  circulating 
medium  of  a  commercial  country  should  be  for  most  obvious 
reasons  that  which  is  the  circulating  medium  of  other  com- 
mercial countries,  or  be  capable  of  bein;  converted  into  that 
medium  without  loss.  With  all  the  leading  commercial 
nations  on  the  gold  standard  it  is  necessary  for  the  United 
States  to  maintain  that  standard  also  in  order  to  escape  great 
inconveniences  and  losses  to  which  we  would  be  subject  if  the 
par  of  exchange  between  ours  and  the  countries  with  which 
we  deal  should  be  broken. 

This  measure  also  recognizes  the  salutary  and  constitu- 
tional principle  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Federal  Government 
to  control  the  circulating  medium  of  the  country  and  provide 
for  the  maintenance  of  its  parity  with  the  standard  money. 
It  has  been  frequently  asserted  that  the  need  of  a  uniform  and 
stable  system  of  national  currency,  safeguarded  by  the 
Government,  so  it  would  be  current  all  over  the  country, 
was  the  chief  object  of  the  first  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
one  of  the  considerations  that  led  to  the  Federal  Convention 
in  1787  to  draft  a  constitution. 

Washington  foresaw,  some  writers  say,  that  the  confidence 
reposed  in  the  United  States  under  the  Constitution  would 
impart  to  whatever  currency  was  authorized  by  Congress 


2I4 


TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 


greater  authority  and  value  than  could  attach  to  anything 
emanating  from  any  State. 

Webster  said  that  the  fathers  who  made  the  Constitution 
foresaw  that  paper  currency  bearing  the  mark  of  the  Union, 
the  American  eagle,  would  command  universal  confidence 
throughout  the  country.  There  were  more  reasons,  said  he, 
for  the  prosperity  of  the  national  bank  than  the  utilities  it  was 
so  well  calculated  to  perform.  There  was  something  that 
touched  men's  sentiments  as  well  as  their  understandings. 
There  was  a  cause  which  carried  the  credit  of  the  new  born 
bank  as  on  the  wings  of  the  wind  ta  every  quarter  of  the 
country.  There  was  a  charm  which  created  trust  and  faith 
and  reliance,  not  only  in  the  great  marts  of  commerce,  but  in 
every  corner  into  which  money  could  penetrate.  That  cause 
was  its  national  character.  It  had  the  broad  seal  of  the 
Union  to  its  charter. — Hon.  Marriott  Brosius,  on  the  Financial 
Bill,  March  14,  1900.  (475) 

Extract  from  President  Lincoln's  Inaugural  Address. 

The  chief  magistrate  derives  all  his  authority  from  the 
people,  and  they  have  conferred  none  upon  him  to  fix  the 
terms  for  the  separation  of  the  States.  The  people  themselves, 
also,  can  do  this  if  they  choose,  but  the  Executive,  as  such, 
has  nothing  to  do  with  it.  His  duty  is  to  administer  the 
present  government  as  it  came  to  his  hands,  and  to  transmit 
it  unimpaired  by  him  to  his  successor.  Why  should  there  not 
be  a  patient  confidence  in  the  ultimate  justice  of  the  people  ? 
Is  there  any  better  or  equal  hope  in  the  world?  In  our 
present  differences  is  either  party  without  faith  of  being  in  the 
right  ?  If  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  nations,  with  his  eternal 
truth  and  justice,  be  on  your  side  of  the  North,  or  on  yours  of 
the  South,  that  truth  and  that  justice  will  surely  prevail  by 
the  judgement  of  this  great  tribunal,  the  American  people. 
By  the  frame  of  the  Government  under  which  we  live,  this 
same  people  have  wisely  given  their  public  servants  but  little 
power  for  mischief,  and  have  with  equal  wisdom  provided  for 
the  return  of  that  little  to  their  own  hands  at  very  short 
intervals.  While  the  people  retain  their  virtue  and  vigilance, 
no  administration,  by  any  extreme  wickedness  or  folly,  can 
very  seriously  injure  the  Government  in  the  short  space  of 
four  years. 


MISCELLANEOUS  SELECTIONS.  2  \  5 

My  countrymen,  one  and  all,  think  calmly  and  well  upon 
this  whole  subject.  Nothing  valuable  can  be  lost  by  taking 
time. 

If  there  be  an  object  to  hurry  any  of  you,  in  hot  haste,  to  a 
step  which  you  would  never  take  deliberately,  that  object  will 
be  frustrated  by  taking  time ;  but  no  good  object  can  be 
frustrated  by  it. 

Such  of  you  as  are  now  dissatisfied  still  have  the  old  Con- 
stitution unimpaired,  and  know  the  sensitive  point,  the  laws  of 
your  own  framing  under  it ;  while  the  new  administration 
will  have  no  immediate  power,  if  it  would,  to  change 
either. 

If  it  were  admitted  that  you  who  are  dissatisfied  hold  the 
right  side  in  the  dispute,  there  is  still  no  single  reason  for  pre- 
cipitate action.  Intelligence,  patriotism,  Christianity,  and  a 
firm  reliance  of  Him  who  has  never  yet  forsaken  this  favored 
land,  are  still  competent  to  adjust,  in  the  best  way,  all  our 
present  difficulties. 

In  your  hands,  my  dissatisfied  fellow-countrymen,  and  not 
in  mine,  is  the  momentous  issue  of  civil  war.  The  government 
will  not  assail  you. 

You  can  have  no  conflict  without  being  yourselves  the 
aggressors.  You  have  no  oath  registered  in  Heaven  to  destroy 
the  government;  while  I  shall  have  the  most  solemn  one  to 
"  preserve,  protect,  and  defend  it."  (442) 


Extract  from  Washington's  Inaugural  Address. 

By  the  article  establishing  the  executive  department  it  is 
made  the  duty  of  the  President  "  to  recommend  to  your  con- 
sideration such  measures  as  he  shall  judge  necessary  and 
expedient."  The  circumstances  under  which  I  now  meet  you 
will  acquit  me  from  entering  into  that  subject  farther  than  to 
refer  to  the  great  constitutional  charter  under  which  you  are 
assembled,  and  which  in  defining  your  powers  designates  the 
objects  to  which  your  attention  is  to  be  given.  It  will  be 
more  consistent  with  those  circumstances,  and  far  more 
congenial  with  the  feelings  which  actuate  me  to  substitute  in 
place  of  a  recommendation  of  particular  measures,  the  tribute 
that  is  due  to  the  talents,  the  rectitude,  and  the  patriotism 
which  adorn  the  characters  selected  to  devise  and  adopt  them. 


2l6          TWENTIETH    CENTURY   BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

In  these  honorable  qualifications,  I  behold  the  surest  pledges 
that  as  on  one  side  no  local  prejudices  or  attachments,  no 
separate  views,  no  party  animosities  will  misdirect  the  com- 
prehensive and  equal  eye  which  ought  to  watch  over  this  great 
assemblage  of  communities  and  interests,  so  on  another,  that 
the  foundations  of  our  national  policy  will  be  laid  in  the  pure 
and  immutable  principles  of  private  morality,  and  the  pre- 
eminence of  free  government  be  exemplified  by  all  the 
attributes  which  can  win  the  affections  of  its  citizens  and 
command  the  respect  of  the  world.  I  dwell  on  this  prospect 
with  every  satisfaction  which  an  ardent  love  for  my  country 
can  inspire,  since  there  is  no  truth  more  thoroughly  estab- 
lished than  that  there  exists  in  the  economy  and  course  of 
nature,  an  indissoluble  union  between  virtue  and  happiness, 
between  duty  and  advantage,  between  the  genuine  maxims  of 
an  honest  and  magnanimous  policy  and  the  solid  rewards  of 
the  public  prosperity  and  felicity.  Since  we  ought  to  be  no 
less  persuaded  that  the  propitious  smiles  of  heaven  can  never 
be  expected  on  a  nation  that  disregards  the  eternal  rules  of 
order  and  right  which  heaven  itself  has  ordained,  and  since 
the  preservation  of  the  sacred  fire  of  Liberty,  and  the  destiny 
of  the  republican  model  of  government  are  justly  considered 
as  deepl}*,  perhaps  as  finally  staked  on  the  experiment 
entrusted  to  the  hands  of  the  American  people.  Besides  the 
ordinary  objects  submitted  to  your  care,  it  will  remain  with 
your  judgement  to  decide  how  far  an  exercise  of  the 
occasional  power  delegated  by  the  fifth  article  of  the  Consti- 
tution is  rendered  expedient  at  the  present  juncture  by  the 
nature  of  the  objections  which  have  been  urged  against  the 
system,  or  by  the  degree  of  inquietude  which  has  given  birth 
to  them.  Instead  of  undertaking  particular  recommendations 
on  this  subject  in  which  I  could  be  guided  by  no  light  derived 
from  official  opportunities,  I  shall  again  give  way  to  my  entire 
confidence  in  your  discernment  and  pursuit  of  the  public 
good,  for  I  assure  myself  that  while  you  carefully  avoid  every 
alteration  which  might  endanger  the  benefits  of  an  united  and 
effective  government,  or  which  ought  to  await  the  future 
lessons  of  experience,  a  reverence  for  the  characteristic  rights 
of  freemen,  and  a  regard  for  the  public  harmony  will  suffi- 
ciently influence  your  deliberations  on  the  question,  how  far 
the  former  can  be  more  impregnably  fortified,  or  the  latter  be 
safely  and  advantageously  promoted.  (538) 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  2  i  ; 

Extract  from  Washington's  Farewell  Address. 

I  have  already  intimated  to  you  the  danger  of  parties  in  the 
state,  with  particular  reference  to  the  founding  of  them  mi 
geographical  discriminations.  Let  me  now  take  a  inure  com- 
prehensive view,  and  warn  you,  in  the  most  solemn  manner, 
against  the  baneful  effects  of  the  spirit  of  part}-  generally. 

This  spirit,  unfortunately,  is  inseparable  from  our  nature, 
having  its  root  in  the  strongest  passions  of  the  human  mind. 
It  exists,  under  different  shapes,  in  all  governments,  more  or 
less  stifled,  controlled,  or  repressed ;  but  in  those  of  the 
popular  form  it  is  seen  in  its  greatest  rankness,  and  is  truly 
their  worst  enemy. 

The  alternate  domination  of  one  faction  over  another, 
sharpened  by  the  spirit  of  revenge,  natural  to  part}-  dissension, 
which,  in  different  ages  and  countries,  has  perpetrated  the 
most  horrid  enormities,  is  itself  a  frightful  despotism.  But 
this  leads,  at  length,  to  a  more  formal  and  permanent  des- 
potism. The  disorders  and  miseries  which  result  gradually 
incline  the  minds  of  men  to  seek  security  and  repose  in  the 
absolute  power  of  an  individual ;  and,  sooner  or  later,  the 
chief  of  some  prevailing  faction,  more  able  or  more  fortunate 
than  his  competitors,  turns  this  disposition  to  the  purposes  of 
his  own  elevation  on  the  ruins  of  public  liberty. 

Without  looking  forward  to  an  extremity  of  this  kind 
(which,  nevertheless,  ought  not  to  be  entirely  out  of  sight), 
the  common  and  continued  mischiefs  of  the  spirit  of  party  are 
sufficient  to  make  it  the  interest  and  duty  of  a  wise  people  to 
discourage  and  restrain  it. 

It  serves  always  to  distract  the  public  councils  and  enfeeble 
the  public  administration.  It  agitates  the  community  with 
ill-founded  jealousies  and  false  alarms  ;  kindles  the  animosity 
of  one  part  against  another  ;  foments,  occasionally,  riot  and 
insurrection.  It  opens  the  door  to  foreign  influence  and 
corruption,  which  find  a  facilitated  access  to  the  government 
itself  through  the  channels  of  party  passions.  Thus  the  policy 
and  the  will  of  one  country  are  subjected  to  the  policy  and 
will  of  another. 

There  is  an  opinion  that  parties,  in  free  countries,  are  useful 
checks  upon  the  administration  of  the  government,  and  serve 
to  keep  alive  the  spirit  of  libert}'.  This,  within  certain  limits, 
is  probably  true ;  and  in  governments  of  a  monarchial  cast, 
patriotism  may  look  with  indulgence,  if  not  with  favor,  upon 


2l8          TWENTIETH    CElS'TURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

the  spirit  of  p..rty.  But  in  those  of  the  popular  character,  in 
governments  purely  elective,  it  is  a  spirit  not  to  be  encouraged. 
From  their  natural  tendency,  it  is  certain  there  will  always  be 
enough  of  that  spirit  for  every  salutatory  purpose.  And  there 
being  constant  danger  of  excess,  the  effort  ought  to  be  by 
force  of  public  opinion  to  mitigate  and  assuage  it.  A  fire  not 
to  be  quenched,  it  demands  a  uniform  vigilance  to  prevent  its 
bursting  into  a  flame,  lest,  instead  of  warming,  it  should 
consume.  (476) 

On  Literature  and  Liberty. 

Literature  is  the  voice  of  the  age  and  the  state.  The 
character,  energy,  and  resources  of  the  country  are  reflected 
and  imaged  forth  in  the  conceptions  of  its  great  minds.  They 
are  organs  of  the  time ;  they  speak  not  their  own  language, 
they  scarce  think  their  own  thoughts  ;  but,  under  an  impulse 
like  the  prophetic  enthusiasm  of  old,  they  must  feel  and  utter 
the  sentiments  which  society  inspires.  They  do  not  create, 
they  obey  the  Spirit  of  the  age  ; — the  serene  and  beautiful 
Spirit  decended  frcm  the  highest  heaven  of  liberty,  who  laughs 
at  our  preconceptions,  and,  with  the  breath  of  his  mouth, 
sweeps  before  him  the  men  and  the  nations  that  cross  his 
path.  By  an  unconscious  instinct,  the  mind,  in  the  action  of 
its  powers,  adapts  itself  to  the  number  and  complexion  of  the 
other  minds  with  which  it  is  to  enter  into  communion  or  con- 
flict. As  the  voice  falls  in  the  key  which  is  suited  to  the  space 
to  be  filled,  the  mind,  in  the  various  exercises  of  its  creative 
faculties,  strives  with  curious  search  for  that  master-note, 
which  will  awaken  a  vibration  from  the  surrounding  commun- 
ity, and  which,  if  it  do  not  find  it,  is  itself  too  often  struck 
dumb. 

For  this  reason,  from  the  moment,  in  the  destiny  of  nations, 
that  they  decend  from  their  culminating  point  and  begin  to 
decline,  from  that  moment  the  voice  of  creative  genius  is 
hushed,  and,  at  best,  the  age  of  criticism,  learning,  and  imitation 
succeeds.  When  Greece  ceased  to  be  independent,  the  forum 
and  the  stage  became  mute.  Nay,  though  the  fall  of  greatness, 
the  decay  of  beauty,  the  waste  of  strength,  and  the  wreck  of 
power,  have  ever  been  among  the  favorite  themes  of  the  pen- 
sive Muse,  yet  not  a  poet  arose  in  Greece  to  chant  her  own 
elegy.  The  freedom  and  the  genius  of  a  country  are  thus 
invariably  gathered  into  a  common  tomb. — Everett.  (  320^ 


MISCELLANEOUS   SELECTIONS.  2  \  <, 

True  Eloquence. 

When  public  bodies  are  to  be  addressed  on  moment."  us 
occasions;  when  great  interests  are  at  stake,  and  .-tn>ni; 
passions  excited  ;  nothing  is  valuable,  in  speech,  farther  ;lKin 
i:  is  connected  with  high  intellectual  and  moral  endowments. 
Clearness,  force,  and  earnestness,  are  the  qualities  which  pn;- 
duce  conviction.  True  eloquence,  indeed,  does  not  crnsii-t  in 
speech.  It  cannot  be  brought  from  afar.  Labor  and  learning- 
may  toil  for  it,  but  they  will  toil  in  vain.  Words  and  phrases 
ma}7  be  marshalled  in  every  way,  but  they  cannot  compass  it. 
It  must  exist  in  the  man,  in  the  subject,  and  in  the  occasion. 
Affected  passion,  intense  expression,  the  pomp  of  declamation, 
all  may  aspire  after  it — they  cannot  reach  it.  It  comes,  if  it 
come  at  all,  like  the  outbreaking  of  a  fountain  from  the  earth, 
or  the  bursting  forth  of  volcanic  fires,  with  spontaneous, 
original,  native  force.  The  graces  taught  in  the  schools,  the 
costly  ornaments,  and  studied  contrivances  of  speech,  shock 
and  disgust  men,  when  their  own  lives,  and  the  fate  of  their 
wives,  their  children,  and  their  country,  hang  on  the  decision 
of  the  hour.  Then,  words  have  lost  their  power,  rhetoric  is 
vain,  and  all  elaborate  orator}'  contemptible.  Even  genius 
itself  then  feels  rebuked  and  subdued,  as  in  the  presence  of 
higher  qualities.  Then  patriotism  is  eloquent ;  then,  self- 
devotion  is  eloquent.  The  clear  conception,  outrunning  the 
deductions  of  logic,  the  high  purpose,  the  firm  resolve,  the 
dauntless  spirit,  speaking  on  the  tongue,  beaming  from  the 
eye,  informing  every  feature,  and  urging  the  whole  man 
onward  to  his  object— this,  this  is  eloquence;  or  rather,  it.  is 
something  greater  and  higher  than  all  eloquence — it  is  action, 
noble,  sublime,  godlike  action. — Love//.  (282) 

Uncertainties  of  Fortune. 

The  sudden  invasion  of  an  enemy  overthrows  such  as  are 
not  on  their  guard  ;  but  they  who  foresee  the  war,  and  prepare 
themselves  for  it  before  it  breaks  out,  stand,  without  difficulty, 
the  first  and  the  fiercest  onset.  I  learned  this  important 
lesson  long  ago ;  and  never  trusted  to  Fortune,  even  while 
she  seemed  to  be  at  peace  with  me.  The  riches,  the  honors, 
the  reputation,  and  all  the  advantages,  which  her  treacherous 
indulgence  poured  upon  me,  I  placed  so  that  she  might  snatch 
them  away  without  giving  me  any  disturbance.  1  kept  a 


220  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

great  interval  between  me  and  them.     She  took  them,  but  she 
could  not  tear  them  from  me. 

No  man  suffers  from  bad  fortune,  but  he  who  has  been 
deceived  by  good.  If  we  grow  fend  of  her  gifts  ;  if  we  fancy 
that  they  belong  to  us,  and  are  perpetually  to  remain  with  us ; 
if  we  lean  upon  them,  and  expect  to  be  considered  for  them, 
we  shall  sink  into  all  the  bitterness  of  grief,  as  soon  as  these 
false  and  transitory  benefits  pass  away — as  soon  as  our  vain 
and  childish  minds,  unfraught  with  solid  pleasures,  become 
destitute  even  of  those  which  are  imaginary.  But,  if  we  do 
not  suffer  ourselves  to  be  transported  with  prosperity,  neither 
shall  we  be  reduced  by  adversity.  Our  souls  will  be  proof 
against  the  dangers  of  both  these  states ;  and,  having  explored 
our  strength,  we  shall  be  sure  of  it ;  for,  in  the  midst  of 
felicity,  we  shall  have  tried  how  we  can  bear  misfortune. — 
Lord  Bolingb  roke.  ( 2  5  8 ) 

The  Power  of  Little  Things. 

The  close  observation  of  little  things  is  the  secret  of  success 
in  business,  in  art,  in  science,  and  in  every  pursuit  in  life. 
Human  knowledge  is  but  an  accumulation  of  small  facts,  made 
by  successive  generations  of  men,  the  little  bits  of  knowledge 
and  experience,  carefully  treasured  up,  growing  at  length  into 
a  mighty  pyramid.  Though  many  of  these  facts  and  observa- 
tions may  have  seemed  in  the  first  instance  to  have  but  slight 
significance,  they  are  all  found  to  have  their  eventual  uses, 
and  to  fit  into  their  proper  places.  Even  many  speculations 
seemingly  remote,  turn  out  to  be  the  basis  of  results  the  most 
obviously  practical.  Had  not  mathematicians  toiled  so  long, 
and,  to  uninstructed  observers,  apparently  so  fruitlessly,  over 
the  abstract  relations  of  lines  and  surfaces,  few  of  our 
mechanical  inventions  would  ever,  probably,  have  seen  the 
light. 

When  Franklin  made  his  discovery  of  the  identity  of  light- 
ning and  electricity,  it  was  sneered  at,  and  people  asked,  "  Of 
what  use  is  it  ?  "  To  which  his  apt  reply  was,  "What  is  the 
use  of  a  child  ?  It  may  become  a  man  ! "  When  Galvani 
discovered  that  a  frog's  leg  twitched  when  placed  in  contact 
with  different  metals,  it  could  scarcely  have  been  imagined 
that  so  apparently  insignificant  a  fact  could  have  led  to 
important  results.  Yet  therein  lay  the  germ  of  the  Electric 
Telegraph,  which  binds  the  intelligence  of  continents  together, 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  22  I 

and  probably,  before  many  years  elapse,  will  "put  a  girdle 
round  the  globe."  So  too,  little  bits  of  stone  and  fossil,  dui; 
out  of  the  earth,  intelligently  interpreted,  have  issued  in  the 
science  of  geology  and  the  practical  operations  of  mining,  in 
which  large  capitals  are  invested,  and  vast  numbers  of  persons 
profitably  employed. 

The  gigantic  machinery  employed  in  pumping  our  mines, 
working  our  mills  and  manufactories,  and  driving  our  steam- 
ships and  locomotives,  in  like  manner  depends  for  its  supply  of 
power  upon  so  slight  an  agency  as  particles  of  water  expanded 
by  heat.  The- steam  which  we  see  issuing  from  the  common 
tea-kettle,  when  pent  up  within  an  ingeniously  contrived 
mechanism,  displays  a  force  equal  to  that  of  millions  of  horses, 
and  contains  a  power  to  rebuke  the  waves,  and  to  set  even  the 
hurricane  at  deh'ance.  Nay,  it  is  the  same  power  at  work 
within  the  bowels  of  the  earth  which  has  been  the  cause  of 
many  of  those  semi-miraculous  catastrophes — volcanoes  and 
earthquakes — that  have  played  so  mighty  a  part  in  the  history 
of  the  globe.  — Smiles.  (4 1  o) 

Study. 

Studies  serve  for  delight,  for  ornament,  and  for  ability. 
Their  chief  use  for  delight,  is  in  privateness  and  retiring  ;  for 
ornament,  is  in  discourse;  and  for  ability,  is  in  the  judgement 
and  disposition  of  business.  For  expert  men  can  execute, 
and  perhaps  judge  of  particulars  one  by  one  ;  but  the  general 
councils,  and  the  plots,  and  the  marshaling  of  affairs,  come 
best  from  those  that  are  learned.  To  spend  too  much  time  in 
studies,  is  sloth ;  to  use  them  too  much  for  ornament,  is 
affectation  ;  to  make  judgement  wholly  by  their  rules,  is  the 
humor  of  the  scholar. 

They  perfect  nature,  and  are  perfected  by  experience ;  for 
natural  abilities  are  like  natural  plants,  that  need  pruning  by 
study  ;  and  studies  themselves  do  give  forth  directions  too 
much  at  large,  except  they  be  bounded  in  by  experience. 
Crafty  men  contemn  studies,  simple  men  admire  them,  and 
wise  men  use  them,  for  they  teach  not  their  own  use — but 
that  is  a  wisdom  without  them,  and  above  them,  won  by 
observation.  Read, — not  to  contradict  and  refute,  not  to 
believe  and  to  take  for  granted,  nor  to  find  talk  and  discourse, 
—but  to  »,  J^h  and  to  consider.  Some  books  are  to  be  tasted, 
others  to  be  swallowed,  and  some  few,  to  be  chewed  and 


222  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

digested  :  that  is,  some  books  are  to  be  read  only  in  parts ; 
others  to  read — but  not  curiously ;  and  some  few,  to  be  read 
wholly,  and  with  diligence  and  attention.  Some  books  also 
may  be  read  by  deputy,  and  extracts  of  them  may  be  made  by 
others :  but  that  should  be  only  in  the  less  important  argu- 
ments, and  the  meaner  sort  of  books  ;  else,  distilled  books  are 
like  common  distilled  waters,— flashy  things.  Reading  maketh 
a  full  man ;  conference,  a  ready  man  ;  and  writing  an  exact 
man.  And  therefore,  if  a  man  write  little,  he  had  need  have  a 
present  wit ;  if  he  confer  little,  he  had  need  have  a  good 
memory  ;  and  if  he  read  little,  he  had  need  have  much  cunning 
to  seem  to  know  what  he  doth  not. — Lord  Bacon.  (345) 

Character  in  Handwriting. 

In  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  the  identification  of  indivi- 
duals by  means  of  their  handwriting  has  been  used  more  and 
more  in  criminal  as  well  as  civil  cases  in  the  courts.  Through 
the  handwriting  of  the  individual  will  shine  his  personality  as 
in  no  other  thing  he  does.  It  is  more  personal  oftentimes 
than  the  person  himself;  as  frequently— in  fact,  nearly  always 
— there  is  less  change  in  the  handwriting  from  year  to  year 
than  in  the  features  of  the  individual.  And  where  changes  in 
the  handwriting  do  occur,  the  main  characteristics  remain. 

Disraeli  has  said  :  "  To  every  individual  nature  has  given  a 
distinct  sort  of  writing,  as  she  has  given  him  a  peculiar  coun- 
tenance, voice  and  manners." 

A  man's  personality  is  mirrored  in  his  handwriting  as  it  is 
not  even  in  his  photograph.  His  writing — if  it  is  his  normal 
hand — represents  his  natural  self,  and  all  portrait  photographers 
know  that  portraits  frequently  lack  truthfulness  and  indivi- 
duality. Given  two  pieces  of  natural  writing,  written  at  two 
different  times,  and  the  identity  of  the  writers  can  be  settled 
with  a  greater  degree  of  certainty  than  by  comparison  of  two 
photographs — or  of  photographs  with  the  original. 

A  French  graphologist,  says  that  "  Handwriting  is  a  gesture 
of  the  mind."  This  I  believe  to  be  true.  At  the  beginning 
the  gesture  and  the  handwriting  were  both  more  or  less  formal 
and  studied,  but  as  time  passed  and  countless  repetitions 
occurred,  the  writing  became  like  speech  and  gesture — merely 
a  reflex  action — executed  almost  wholly  without  thought.  In 
writing  a  letter  we  are  concerned  with  the  thoughts  we  are 
trying  to  express,  and  not,  as  a  rule,  with  the  handwriting.  It 


MISCELLANEOUS   SELECTIONS.  2  2  ^ 

is  in  this  natural,  wholly  unstudied  writing  that  a  person's 
characteristics  are  plainest  shown,  and  these  are  the  specimens 
sought  for  by  the  expert  when  called  upon  to  make  a  com- 
parison. In  school  and  early  life  we  tr}'  to  acquire  a  more  or 
less  model  hand  and  strive  for  a  certain  ideal.  The  exigencies 
of  business  in  later  life  modify  this  ideal  hand  until  it  fits 
itself  into  our  life  in  such  a  way  as  to  serve  our  purpose  by 
recording  our  thoughts,  stamping  our  personality  on  it,  and  to 
a  greater  or  less  extent  reflecting  our  character.  (Many 
people  mix  character  and  characteristics.  By  the  first  is 
meant  traits  of  character  in  the  individual ;  by  the  second, 
peculiar  and  personal  marks  in  the  handwriting  that  establish 
the  identity  of  the  writer.) 

When  we  attempt  to  disguise  our  writing  we  face  the 
following  propositions :  We  must  know  all  of  the  character- 
istics of  our  handwriting.  We  must  be  able  to  eliminate  them 
at  will.  If  we  wish  to  simulate  the  handwriting  of  another 
person  we  have  the  added  propositions :  We  must  know  all 
the  characteristics  entering  into  his  writing.  We  must  be  able 
to  acquire  these  characteristics  at  will.  I  do  not  believe  there 
is  an  individual  who  lives  who  knows  and  can  successfully  do 
these  things.  And  but  few  people  even  know  the  character- 
istics of  their  own  handwriting.—^./.  Kinsley.  (5°7) 

The  Wonders  of  a  Watch. 

The  watch  carried  by  the  average  man  is  composed  of 
ninety-eight  pieces,  and  its  manufacture  includes  more  than 
two  thousand  distinct  and  separate  operations.  Some  of  the 
smaller  screws  are  so  minute  that  the  unaided  e}'e  cannot  dis- 
tinguish them  from  steel  filings  or  specks  of  dirt.  Under  a 
powerful  magnifying  glass,  a  perfect  screw  is  revealed.  The 
slit  in  the  head  is  two-thousandths  of  an  inch  wide.  It  takes 
308,000  of  these  screws  to  weigh  a  pound,  and  a  pound  is 
worth  $1,585. 

The  hairspring  is  a  strip  of  the  finest  steel,  about  nine  and 
one-half  inches  long,  one  hundredth  of  an  inch  wide,  and 
twenty-seven  ten-thousandths  of  an  inch  thick.  It  is  coiled  up 
in  spiral  form  and  finely  tempered.  The  process  of  tempering 
these  .springs  was  long  held  as  a  secret  by  the  few  fortunate 
ones  possessing  it,  and  even  now  it  is  not  generally  known. 

The  strip  is  gauged  to  twenty-one  thousandths  of  an  inch, 
but  no  measuring  instrument  has  as  yet  been  devised  capable 


224  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

of  fine  enough  gauging  to  determine  beforehand  by  the  size  of 
the  strip  what  the  strength  of  the  finished  spring  will  be.  A 
twenty-thousandth  part  of  an  inch  difference  in  the  thickness 
of  the  strip  makes  a  difference  in  the  running  of  a  watch  of 
about  sixteen  minutes  per  hour. 

The  value  of  these  springs,  when  finished  and  placed  in 
watches,  is  enormous  in  proportion  to  the  material  from  which 
they  are  made.  A  comparison  will  give  a  good  idea.  A  ton 
of  steel  made  up  into  hairsprings,  when  in  watches,  is  worth 
more  than  twelve  and  one-half  times  the  value  of  the  same 
weight  in  pure  gold. 

Hairspring  wire  weighs  one-twentieth  of  a  grain  to  the  inch. 
One  mile  of  wire  weighs  less  than  half  a  pound.  The  balance 
gives  five  vibrations  every  second,  three  hundred  every 
minute,  18,000  every  hour,  432,000  everyday,  and  157,680,000 
every  year.  At  each  vibration,  it  rotates  about  one  and  one- 
fourth  times,  which  makes  197,100,000  revolutions  every  year. 

In  order  that  we  may  better  understand  the  stupendous 
amount  of  labor  performed  by  these  tiny  works,  let  us  make 
one  comparison. 

Take,  for  illustration,  a  locomotive  with  six-foot  driving 
wheels.  Let  its  wheels  be  run  until  they  are  given  the  same 
number  of  revolutions  that  a  watch  makes  in  a  year,  and  they 
will  have  covered  a  distance  equal  to  twenty-eight  complete 
circuits  of  the  earth.  All  this  a  watch  does  without  other 
attention  than  winding  once  in  twenty-four  hours.  (4J7) 

The  Philippine  Policy. 

The  demoralization  that  follows  war  and  the  military  spirit 
is  always  to  be  deplored.  I  am  opposed  to  it  because  history 
teaches  us  that  sovereignty  acquired  by  the  sword  must  be 
maintained  by  the  same  Cleans  and  that  power  acquired  by 
conquest  and  wealth  gainec  by  robbery  are  certain  in  the  end 
to  weaken  and  corrupt  the  possessor.  This  rule  applies  to 
nations  as  well  as  to  individuals.  I  am  opposed  to  it  again 
because  by  such  a  course  we  revolutionize  our  government, 
which  was  intended  for  a  free  Republic  and  self-governing 
people  and  not  for  subjects  or  vassal  states  without  represen- 
tation in  the  making  and  execution  of  our  laws.  I  am  opposed 
to  it  because  it  shatters  the  Monroe  Doctrine  from  top  to 
bottom.  I  am  opposed  to  it  because  I  believe  that  at  no  distant 
day  such  a  course  will  involve  us  in  European  and  Asiatic 


MISCKLLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  j  J  5 

quarrels.  I  am  opposed  to  it  because  all  the  habits,  traditions, 
surroundings,  experience,  education  and  aspirations  of  this 
people  are  opposed  to  our  theories  of  government.  I  am 
opposed  to  it  because  such  a  course  would  be  a  repudiation  by 
our  Government  of  the  principle  that  all  governments  must  be 
founded  on  the  consent  of  the  governed. 

I  am  opposed  to  it  because  such  a  course  is  not  calculated 
to  advance  the  interests  and  promote  the  happiness  of  this 
people.  Self-government  does  not  mean  that  these  people  are 
to  have  such  a  government  as  we  possess,  but  that  these 
people  shall  have  a  government  in  keeping  with  their  desires 
and  suitable  to  their  conditions.  It  has  been  said  that  great- 
ness does  not  lie  in  coffers  or  in  territory,  but  it  lies  in  the 
men  and  women  of  a  nation  and  their  ideals  and  acts,  and  that 
a  nation  is  great  as  it  clings  to  its  ideals.  A  great  bishop  said  : 
"The  end  of  all  worthy  struggle  is  to  establish  morality  as  the 
basis  of  individual  and  national  life,  to  make  righteousness 
prevail,  to  make  justice  reign,  to  spread  beauty,  gentleness, 
wisdom,  and  peace,  to  widen  opportunity,  to  increase  good 
will,  to  move  in  the  light  of  higher  thoughts  and  larger  hopes, 
to  encourage  science  and  art,  to  foster  industry  and  thrift, 
education  and  culture,  reverence  and  obedience,  purity  and 
love,  honesty,  sobriety,  and  disinterested  devotion  to  the 
common  good — this  is  the  patriot's  aim,  this  is  his  ideal."  If 
we  should  strive  for  this  purpose  and  work  in  this  spirit,  the 
Republic  of  our  fathers  will  never  perish.— Hon.  Mr.  Clay. 

(422) 

The  End  of  the  Century  Controversy. 

What  was  said  IOD  Years  ago. 

In  view  of  the  controversy  raging  throughout  the  country 
as  to  the  time  when  the  nineteenth  century  ends  and  the 
twentieth  begins,  an  article  in  the.  "Times"  of  Thursday,  Dec. 
26,  1799,  nas  both  a  historic  and  a  typical  interest.  The 
article,  after  the  hard-hitting  style  of  the  day,  says  :  The  ques- 
tion of  when  the  present  century  ends  is  one  of  the  most 
absurd  that  can  engage  the  public  attention,  and  we  are 
astonished  to  find  it  has  been  the  subject  of  so  much  dispute, 
since  it  appears  to  be  perfectly  plain.  The  present  century 
will  not  terminate  till  January  i,  1801,  unless  it  can  be  made  out 
that  99  are  100.  Eighteen  centuries  are  1800  years,  then  how 
can  1 8  centuries  be  completed  till  the  year  1800  has  expired  ? 

15   D.  B. 


226  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

What  is  the  meaning  of  a  century  but  a  clear,  distinct  series 
of  100  years?  How  can  100  be  completed  by  99?  Some 
persons  assert  that  the  first  year  of  the  present  era  stands  for 
nothing.  At  this  rate,  indeed,  they  will  prove  the  present 
century  to  end  with  this  month,  but  we  know  not  how  they 
will  prove  such  a  fact.  We  see  no  pretext  for  the  assertion. 
Jesus  was  born  January  i  in  the  year  i  ;  the  succeeding  12 
months  completed  the  first  year,  and  the  succeeding  99  years 
added  to  that  first  year,  making  together  100,  completed  the 
first  century.  The  second  century  commenced  January  i, 
101  ;  every  century  begins  \v'th  i,  and  the  next  century  will 
begin  on  January  i,  1801.  It  is  a  silly,  childish  discussion, 
and  only  exposes  the  want  of  brains  of  those  who  maintain  a 
contrary  opinion  to  that  we  have  stated,  in  which  we  are 
supported  by  the  first  authorities  in  the  country,  to  whom 
wagers  have  been  referred.  (20$! 

Paper  Making. 

Paper  is  made  from  many  things,  but  nothing  but  new  linen 
and  cotton  rags  are  used  in  this  mill ;  hence  the  mill  is  sur- 
prisingly clean  and  the  paper  is  clean  and  strong  when 
finished.  These  rags  are  obtained  from  shirt,  collar,  corset 
manufacturers,  sail  makers,  etc.,  and  give  a  strong,  fine, 
uniform  fiber.  The  rags  come  in  large  bales  and  are  hoisted 
on  an  elevator  to  the  sorting  room,  where  they  are  run  through 
a  thresher  to  get  rid  of  dust,  etc.  The  "  thresher  "  is  a  closed 
wooden  box  in  which  the  rags  are  revolved  on  drums  that 
have  spikes  in  them.  Wire  gauze  allows  the  dust  to  separate 
from  the  rags.  The  cleaned  rags  next  go  to  the  cutters  (who  are 
women),  who  stand  before  knives  resembling  scythes  that  lean 
forward  at  a  slight  angle  from  the  perpendicular.  The  rags 
are  sorted  by  hand  and  are  drawn  against  the  knife  blade  and 
cut  into  pieces  about  three  inches  in  size.  After  cutting  and 
classification  the  rags  are  run  through  a  duster  to  remove 
every  particle  of  dust  and  are  then  inspected. 

They  are  then  boiled  in  large  vats  with  lime,  soda,  ash  or 
caustic  soda  and  water  to  remove  all  coloring,  dirt,  grease,  etc. 
This  boiling  is  very  thoroughly  done  and  the  rags  are  not 
taken  out  until  they  are  perfectly  clean.  The  rags  are  then 
transferred  to  the  "engine" — which  is  not  an  engine  in  the 
ordinarily  understood  sense  at  all,  but  a  machine  for  the  pur- 
pose of  reducing  the  rags  to  pulp.  The  "engine  "  is  an  oblong 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  :_7 

vat,  with  rounded  ends.  It  is  divided  down  the  center.  A 
steady  stream  of  the  purest  water  flows  through.  There  arc 
knives  at  the  bottom  of  the  vat  and  other  knives  on  a  revolv- 
ing roll,  and  the  water  carries  the  rags  around  and  against 
these  knives,  which  reduce  the  rags  to  pulp.  The  setting  of 
the  knives  and  the  time  the  rags  are  kept  in  the  engine  deter- 
mine the  fineness  of  the  fiber.  When  the  stock  is  about  half 
worked  over  the  bleaching  solution  is  added,  and  it  soon 
causes  the  pulp  to  become  a  beautiful  white.  The  pulp  next 
goes  to  the  beating  engine,  where  it  is  given  the  same  kind  of 
treatment,  but  with  finer  knives.  For  fine  grades  of  writing- 
paper  the  pulp  is  worked  in  the  engines  for  fifteen  to  twenty- 
four  hours,  while  for  ledger,  bond  and  banknote  paper  it  is 
kept  in  and  worked  for  forty-eight  to  seventy-two  hours. 

The  pulp  is  now  drawn  into  a  large  receiving  vat,  where  it 
is  kept  until  the  Fourdrinier  paper  machines  call  for  it. 

By  means  of  a  regulating  box  the  pulp  is  fed  to  this  machine 
and  special  appliances  prevent  any  lumps  getting  in.  Any 
excess  of  pulp  is  carried  back  to  the  big  receiving  vat.  After 
passing  over  sand  tables  and  strainers  the  pulp  is  fed  on  to 
endless  wire  cloth,  which  has  both  forward  and  side  motion, 
thus  interweaving  the  fiber.  All  this  time  water  is  being 
extracted,  but  when  it  next  passes  to  an  endless  felt  between 
press  rolls  the  water  is  quite  thoroughly  squeezed  out  and  the 
fiber  is  knitted.  On  the  sides  there  are  guides  or  "deckles" 
to  control  the  width.  At  the  end  of  the  machine  is  a  dandy- 
roll,  which  makes  the  water  mark.  This  is  a  cylinder  of  wire 
cloth,  with  the  letters  and  figures  of  the  design  raised  on  it. 
It  revolves  at  stated  intervals,  and  the  raised  work  or  design 
makes  an  impression  in  the  soft,  pulpy  mass.  Plain  woven 
wire  cloth  covered  cylinders  produce  "  wove  "  paper,  and  when 
the  roll  is  covered  or  overlaid  with  parallel  wires  it  produces 
what  is  known  as  <l  laid  "  paper. 

Before  the  sheet  reaches  the  finishing  rollers  it  is  given  a 
bath  of  sizing  resin,  etc. 

After  running  through  several  sets  of  rollers  (some  of  wood, 
others  of  metal ;  some  heated,  others  cold)  the  paper  is  quite 
dry  and  a  knife  at  the  end  of  the  machine  cuts  it  off  into 
regular  lengths.  These  sheets  are  then  taken  to  lofts  and 
hung  on  poles,  about  six  sheets  in  a  bunch,  and  left  until 
thoroughly  dry.  This  is  what  is  known  as  "loft  dried  "  paper. 

The  sheets  are  now  calendared  or  plated.     The  calendars- 


228          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

are  an  iron  and  a  paper  roll,  the  former  revolving  faster  than 
the  latter.  The  sheets  of  paper  are  passed  through  several 
times  and  take  a  high  glaze  or  linish.  The  plating  is  done  by 
applying  heavy  pressure  to  sheets  of  paper  placed  between 
polished  plates  of  copper  and  zinc.  A  dead  hard  finish  without 
the  polish  of  the  calendared  paper  is  produced  by  this  process. 
The  finished  sheets  of  paper  are  now  taken  to  the  ruling, 
pad  and  packing  rooms  to  be  put  up  in  the  packages  with 
which  we  are  all  familiar. — From  "A  Penman  in  a  Paper  Mill" 
in  the  Penman's  Art  Journal.  (817) 

Punctuality. 

Men  say  that  time  is  money,  but  it  is  more  ;  it  is  life  itself, 
for  that  is  the  stuff  life  is  made  of.  He  who  has  no  regard  for 
his  own  time,  much  less  that  of  others,  has  not  yet  learned  the 
first  principle  of  business.  The  idler  is  a  prey  to  his  own 
mind  ;  he  is  ever  on  the  lookout  for  filthy  habits  and  low 
manners ;  he  is  ready  to  catch  at  straws  of  uselessness,  but 
his  mind  seldom,  or  never,  turns  to  mutual  improvement.  In 
fact  his  mind  gradually  deteriorates  until  he  is  an  easy  victim 
for  the  devil,  and  swallows  even  the  naked  hook. 

There  is  much  wisdom  in  Lord  Chesterfield's  advice  to  his 
son  in  regard  to  time  :  "  Every  moment  you  now  lose  is  so 
much  character  and  advantage  lost ;  as  on  the  other  hand, 
every  moment  you  now  employ  usefully  is  so  much  time  wisely 
laid  out  at  prodigious  interest."  Time  is  neither  gold  nor 
bonds,  but  it  is  as  valuable  as  either,  and  he  who  willfully 
wastes  time  is  not  a  proper  person  to  trust  with  our  goods,  for 
he  has  not  demonstrated  that  he  can  take  care  of  his  own. 
Such  a  man  is  on  the  sure  road  to  failure. 

Punctuality  is  a  debt  which  every  man  owes.  Let  him 
faithfully  discharge  the  obligation.  Punctuality  is  honesty ; 
honesty  is  truthfulness  ;  truthfulness  is  character.  If  you 
have  not  punctuality  you  have  not  the  best  of  business  qualifi- 
cations. A  tardy  man  deserves  the  same  consideration  as  a 
dishonest  one,  and  a  dishonest  one  makes  an  undesirable 
debtor.  Lord  Nelson  once  said  :  "I  owe  all  my  success  in  life 
to  having  been  always  a  quarter  of  an  hour  before  my  time." 
But  it  is  so  with  all  great  men.  This  trait  was  possessed  by 
and  forcibly  demonstrated  in  them  all.  No  great  man  was 
ever  known  to  be  without  this  quality  fully  developed.  It  is 
the  way  great  men  are  made.—/.  B.  Duryca.  (329) 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  , -,rj 

Trusts. 

If  there  be  in  human  history  one  truth  clearer  and  m  .rr 
indisputable  than  another,  it  is  that  the  cheapening  of  article-. 
whether  of  luxury  or  of  necessity  or  of  those  classed  as  arti-tic, 
insures  their  more  general  distribution,  and  is  one  of  the  in  ist 
potent  factors  in  refining  and  lifting  a  people,  and  in  adding  to 
its  happiness.  In  no  period  of  human  activity  has  this  gre at 
agency  been  so  potent  or  so  widespread  as  in  our  o\vn.  Kverv 
agency  in  our  day  labors  to  scatter  the  good  things  of  life,  b  >th 
for  mind  and  bod}'',  among  the  toiling  millions.  Everywhere 
we  look  we  see  the  inexorable  law  ever  producing  bigger  and 
bigger  things.  Every  enlargement  is  an  improvement,  step 
by  step  upon  what  has  preceded.  It  makes  for  higher  civili- 
zation, for  the  enrichment  of  human  life,  not  for  one,  but  for 
all  classes  of  men.  It  tends  to  bring  to  the  laborer's  cottage 
the  luxuries  hitherto  enjoyed  only  by  the  rich,  to  remove  from 
the  most  squalid  homes  much  of  their  squalor,  and  to  foster 
the  growth  of  human  happiness  relatively  more  in  the  work- 
man's home  than  the  millionaire's  palace.  It  does  not  tend 
to  make  the  rich  poorer,  but  it  does  tend  to  make  the  poor 
richer  in  the  possession  of  better  things,  and  greatly  lessens 
the  wide  and  deplorable  gulf  between  the  rich  and  the  poor. 
Superficial  politicians  may,  for  a  time,  deceive  the  uninformed, 
but  more  and  more  will  all  this  be  clearly  seen  by  those  who 
are  now  led  to  regard  aggregations  as  injurious. 

The  people  are  aroused  against  trusts  because  the}7  are  said 
to  aim  at  securing  monopolies  in  the  manufacture  and  distri- 
bution of  their  products  ;  but  the  whole  question  is,  Have  they 
or  can  they  succeed  in  monopolizing  products  ?  There  are 
only  two  conditions  other  than  patents  which  render  it  possible 
to  maintain  a  monopoly.  These  are  when  the  parties  abso- 
lutely control  the  raw  material  out  of  which  the  article  is 
produced,  or  control  territory  into  which  rivals  can  enter  only 
with  extreme  difficulty. 

The  genesis  of  trusts  is  as  follows  :  Manufacturers  of  mosi. 
staple  articles  (especially  of  iron  and  steel)  are  subject  to  long 
periods  of  serious  depression,  succeeded  by  short  intervals  oi 
high  profits.  Because  during  depression  no  increase  is  made 
in  capacity,  and  the  world's  population  and  wants  are  con- 
stantly growing,  one  morning  it  is  discovered  that  demand  has 
overtaken  and  outrun  supply.  It  is  during  one  of  these  long 
periods  of  depression,  when  many  of  the  manufacturers  are  on 


230  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    ROOK, 

the  verge  of  bankruptcy,  that  there  arises  in  the  heart  a  hope, 
soon  crystallized  into  a  belief,  that  a  new  way  has  been  found 
to  avoid  the  natural  consequences  of  the  unchanging  economic 
laws.  It  is  soon  felt  that  savage  competition  should  cease 
between  those  enduring  a  common  affliction,  who  should  be 
brother  manufacturers,  and  that  the  lion  and  the  lamb  should 
lie  down  together.  They  forget  i  i  the  hour  of  their  misery, 
that  the  moralist  has  expressed  the  fear  lest  the  one  may  be 
found  inside  the  other.  Few  trusts  have  a  monopoly  through 
patents  or  through  the  supply  of  raw  material  or  of  territory, 
and  what  happens  is  this  :  For  a  short  time  competition  is 
hindered,  but  rarely,  if  ever,  completely  stifled.  The  profits 
of  the  trusts  are  high,  and  capital,  ever  watchful  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  make  unusual  gains,  seeks  its  level  by  i  law  of  its 
being,  and  need?  only  the  opportunity  to  engage  in  this  highly 
profitable  manufacture. 

The  masses  of  the  people,  the  toiling  million),  ar^  soon  to 
find  in  this  great  law  of  aggregation  of  capital  and  of  factories 
another  of  those  beneficent  agencies  which  in  their  operation 
tend  to  bring  to  the  homes  of  the  poor,  in  greater  degree  than 
ever,  more  and  more  of  the  luxuries  of  the  rich,  and  into  their 
lives  more  of  sweetness  and  light.  The  only  people  who  have 
reason  to  fear  trusts  are  those  who  trust  them. — A  tiding 
Carnegie,  condensed  from  "  Century"  New  York.  (656) 

Conciseness. 

To  express  one's  meaning  clearly,  precisely,  and  in  a  few 
words  does  not  come  by  nature.  It  is  an  art  that  has  to  be 
cultivated  with  steady  perseverance  ;  and  it  is  an  art  that  must 
be  acquired  by  those  who  desire  to  make  their  way  in  the 
world  in  these  times.  It  is  a  busy  age,  given  to  dispensing 
with  superfluities  in  all  forms  of  every-day  work.  The  oration 
of  the  past,  with  its  elaborate  exordium  and  its  rhetorical 
peroration,  has  been  displaced  by  the  speech  that  plunges 
straight  into  its  subject  without  preliminaries  or  introductory 
remarks,  and  ends  as  soon  as  the  topic  itself  has  been  dis- 
cussed. The  leading  article  has  been  almost  universally 
shortened,  and  has  lost  the  characteristics  of  an  essay.  It 
makes  no  pretence  at  exhaustiveness :  it  deals  succinctly  with 
its  subject,  goes  to  the  points  at  once,  is  argumentative,  com- 
mendatory, critical,  playful,  or  severe,  as  the  case  may  be ;  but 
it  never  wastes  words.  The  modern  novel  no  longer  meanders 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  j  -  , 

through  three  volumes,  in  which  the  story  lingers  in  order  thru 
chapters  of  irrelevant  padding  may  be  inserted  so  as  to 
provide  the  requisite  number  of  pages  of  matter.  The  novelist 
of  to-day  enters  upon  his  narrative  without  introduction,  and 
often  commences  his  initial  chapter  with  a  fragment  of  con- 
versation between  two  of  the  characters  who  are  to  play  their 
parts  in  the  development  of  the  plot.  His  story  proceeds 
without  deviation,  and  the  dissertations  with  which  older 
writers  of  fiction  used  to  endeavor  to  instruct  their  readers  in 
the  middle  of  an  attractive  tale,  have  become  rare.  The  long 
letters  of  the  past  have  given  place  to  telegrams  and  to  epistles 
that  contain  little  more  than  fills  the  ordinary  telegram.  The 
variety  of  modern  life,  the  haste  with  which  all  its  transactions 
have  to  be  undertaken,  the  desire  felt  by  all  of  us  to  utilize 
every  minute  and  increase  its  productiveness  in  knowledge  or 
in  action,  makes  the  cultivation  of  the  art  of  conciseness 
imperative.  (333) 

Character  in  Business. 

Character  is  that  innate,  that  latent  power,  which  makes 
our  talents  trusted.  It  is  human  nature  in  its  best  form.  We 
may  admire  a  man  of  learning  but  we  trust  only  those  with 
character.  Character  creates  confidence  in  men  in  all  the 
walks  of  life.  There  is  a  vast  difference  between  character 
and  reputation.  Character  is  what  a  man  really  is,  but  repu- 
tation is  what  the  world  believes  him  to  be.  Sometimes  we 
must  accept  reputation  for  character,  for  while  some  men  show 
their  character  by  their  every  act,  deed  and  look,  }ret  others  do 
not.  The  line  of  demarcation  is  finely  drawn  and  not  easily 
determined.  It  is  hard  to  say  where  good  character  leaves  off 
and  bad  character  begins.  So  many  times  we  must  accept 
reputation  and  run  the  chances  of  its  reliability.  A  man's 
habits  do  not  always  indicate  his  character — in  fact  he  may 
possess  man}'  good  habits  and  still  be,  at  heart,  a  veritable 
scoundrel. 

If  an  applicant  for  credit  cannot  produce  a  good  showing  as 
to  character  and  a  fair  dealing,  we  have  no  use  for  him,  and 
cannot  afford  to  accommodate  him  with  credit  favors.  We 
could  afford  to  trust  a  man  possessed  of  good  character  and 
habits,  though  he  be  without  capital,  and  still  feel  compara- 
tively safe  ;  but  a  man  with  capital,  and  even  with  ability,  but 
without  character  and  integrity,  would  be  a  person  that  few 
would  care  to  trust. 


232  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    ROOK. 

The  man  must  have  an  established  record  for  honesty  and 
fair  dealing  before  he  becomes  a  safe  risk.  Though  by  this 
we  do  not  mean  that  he  must  be  perfect  in  every  way,  for  a 
man  may  have  a  proper  record  for  fair  dealing  and  still  possess 
some  very  objectionable  habits.  We  do  not  expect  to  find 
perfection,  and  many  personal  shortcomings  and  small  vices 
must  be  overlooked  from  a  business  point  of  view ;  but  the 
general  reputation  must  be  good.  And  especially  can  we 
overlook  a  few  shortcomings  in  a  man  who  has  been  estab- 
lished in  trade  for  a  long  period,  though  closer  attention 
should  be  given  to  this  trait  in  a  new  comer.  But  in  any  case 
where  a  credit  or  trust  is  involved  we  cannot  afford  to  ignore 
so  important  an  element  as  that  of  character  and  habits. — 
/  B.  Duryea.  (385) 

Patents  and  Copyrights. 

Patents  are  documents  issued  by  the  United  States,  through 
the  Patent  Office,  signed  and  sealed  by  the  Commissioner  of 
Patents.  Their  effect  is  to  give  to  the  person  to  whom  they 
are  issued,  the  exclusive  ownership,  use  and  control  of  the 
invention  described  in  the  document.  The  invention  is  said 
to  be  patented. 

Several  conditions  must  exist  to  entitle  an  applicant  to  a 
patent.  The  inventor  must  have  discovered  something  new 
and  useful  in  art,  machinery,  manufacture,  or  composition  of 
matter,  or  some  new  and  useful  improvement  thereof.  The 
invention  or  discovery  for  which  the  patent  is  claimed,  cannot 
be  anything  known  or  used  by  others  in  this  country.  It 
cannot  be  anything  described  in  any  printed  publication,  in 
this  or  any  foreign  country,  prior  to  inventor's  discovery  ;  it 
cannot  be  anything  which  has  been  in  public  use,  or  on  sale 
for  more  than  two  years  prior  to  the  application,  unless  the 
discovery  has  been  abandoned. 

Copyrights  differ  from  patents  because  they  apply  only  to 
something  a  person  has  written  or  drawn.  The  principle  is 
the  same,  in  that  the  copyright  gives  to  the  person  the  exclu- 
sive right  to  make  copies  of  what  he  has  written  or  drawn,  just 
as  a  patent  gives  to  the  inventor  the  exclusive  right  to  manu- 
facture and  use  what  he  has  invented.  Patents  are  obtained 
by  application  to  the  Commissioner  of  Patents,  at  the  Patent 
Office  in  Washington.  The  application  is  accompanied  by  a 
formula  of  priority  of  invention,  and  a  model  or  drawing  of 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  j  -  ^ 

the  invention.  Copyrights  are  obtained  by  simply  filing  copic.- 
of  the  literary  work  or  drawing  in  the  office  of  the  Librarian 
of  Congress.  There  is  but  little  formality  required.  Before 
publication  the  author  must  deposit  a  printed  copy  of  the  title 
of  his  work  with  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 
In  case  it  is  a  drawing  or  engraving,  a  description  must  be 
deposited.  The  title  page  of  a  literary  work  is  usually 
deposited.  After  publication  two  copies  of  the  completed 
work  must  be  deposited.  ( ^  >5) 

Pens. 

It  is  recorded  that  iron  pens  were  first  used  as  early  as 
1685,  but  certain  it  is  that  quills  were  by  no  means  displaced 
by  them,  for  as  late  as  1825  qaill  pens  were  made  by  the  gross 
and  sold  regularly  to  the  trade  in  boxes  containing  a  dozen. 
But  the  demand  for  something  more  durable  had  been  stimu- 
lating inventors  long  before  the  patent  office  was  thought  of, 
and  late  in  the  eighteenth  century,  horn,  tortoise  shell,  glass, 
steel,  silver  and  gold  were  in  turn  experimented  upon.  Horn 
made  a  good  pen,  and  so  did  tortoise  shell,  but  both  soon  grew 
soft  in  the  ink  and  became  worthless.  Silver  was  an  improve- 
ment, it  was  just  flexible  enough  and  when  mixed  with  the 
proper  alloy  and  tempered  to  the  exact  degree  required,  it  was 
the  best  pen  made.  The  glass  pen  was  simply  the  old  stylus 
with  grooves  down  the  side  to  hold  the  ink,  but  they  were 
clumsy,  untidy,  and  so  easily  broken  that  they  were  practically 
worthless.  In  1803  a  man  named  Wise  made  what  he  called 
a  barrel  pen.  It  was  bent  or  grooved  like  the  pens  of  the 
present  day,  and  was  the  first  pen  ever  made  of  metal  in  the 
shape  suggested  by  the  quill,  all  the  others  having  been  flat. 
In  1820  Joseph  Gillott,  who  had  a  factory  where  toys  were 
made,  fashioned  a  steel  pen  which  commanded  instant  favor, 
and  others  soon  followed  him.  These  were  all  Englishmen 
and  their  product  soon  became  popular,  though  their  price  was 
$36  a  gross  wholesale.  In  1830  the  price  had  fallen  to  $2  a 
gross,  and  in  1860  twelve  cents  were  paid,  and  the  annual  pro- 
duction of  steel  pens  was  50,000,000  in  the  latter  year. 
Americans  have  only  recently  been  able  to  make  a  steel  pen 
equal  to  the  English,  but  in  late  years  pens  have  been  made  in 
America  for  export  all  over  the  world,  Philadelphia  being  a  sort 
of  center  for  that  industry. 

In  the  making  of  steel  pens  fine  sheet  steel,  generally  pre- 
pared from  Swedish  bloom  is  used.  It  is  cleaned  of  scale  by 


2^4  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK 

the  use  of  sulphuric  acid,  and  after  being  carefully  washed,  is 
passed  between  successive  sets  of  rollers  until  reduced  to  the 
required  thinness.  It  is  then  divided  into  strips  wide  enough 
to  allow  the  cutting  of  three  or  four  pens.  These  are  passed 
through  a  cutting  machine,  which,  by  means  of  dies,  punches 
out  the  pens,  or  blanks,  as  they  are  then  called,  for,  although 
they  have  the  exact  shape  of  a  pen,  they  are  still  flat,  and 
have  no  holes  or  slits  in  them.  Successive  operations,  first 
cut  the  side  slits  in  the  pens  and  then  the  hole  in  the  center, 
all  being  done  by  lever  and  by  hand,  the  careful  adjusting  of 
each  blank  under  the  die  requiring  the  utmost  nicety.  This 
work  has  rendered  the  blanks  brittle,  and  they  are  now 
annealed  by  putting  them  in  an  iron  box  and  heating  them. 
The  name  of  the  maker  or  his  trade  mark  is  then  stamped 
upon  them  with  a  die  and  they  are  at  the  same  stamping  bent 
into  the  grooved  form  in  which  they  are  known  to  commerce. 
The  most  important  operation,  that  of  making  the  central  slit, 
follows,  after  which  they  are  again  tempered,  this  time  by 
immersion  in  oil,  and  are  carefully  polished  by  emery  powder, 
the  pens  and  powder  being  thrown  into  a  large  revolving 
cylinder.  The  nibs  are  then  ground  to  the  required  point,  and 
the  pens  are  again  tempered  in  a  revolving  cylinder  over  a 
charcoal  fire,  until  they  acquire  the  brown  or  blue  color,  when 
they  are  glazed  with  a  solution  of  lac  and  naphtha.  They  are 
then  examined,  counted  and  boxed  and  delivered  ready  for 
sile.  The  constant  tempering  is  the  solution  of  the  problem 
which  troubled  the  ages,  for  steel  pens  were  not  made  in  a 
day,  and  for  many  years  after  they  were  attempted  the  stub- 
born metals  defied  manipulation.  Millions  of  them  are  made 
annually,  and  if  every  man,  woman  and  child  in  the  United 
State  could  write,  a  gross  of  pens  could  be  placed  at  his 
disposal  tomorrow.  (690) 

Some  Reasons  for  Learning-  Phonography. 

First :  Because  of  its  Practical  Usefulness.  You  are  inter- 
ested in  learning  to  write.  And  you  are  interested  in  learning 
to  write  in  the  best  way.  The  best  way  is  (not  always,  but 
generally)  the  quickest  and  easiest  way.  The  quickest  and 
easiest  way  is  by  the  use  of  Phonography.  At  least  four  times 
as  much  time  and  effort  are  consumed  by  the  use  of  ordinary 
longhand,  in  producing  legible  and  accurate  writing,  as  need 
be  consumed  by  the  use  of  Phonography  in  producing  the 


SELECTION'S. 


same  result.  The  saving  accomplished  by  Phonography  to 
any  one  who  has  frequent  occasion  to  put  thoughts  'on  'paper, 
is  therefore  something  of  incalculable  value  and  forms  the 
strongest  reason  why  you  should  learn  it. 

It  saves  time  to  the  author,  in  penning  his  manuscript  ;  to 
the  editor  in  preparing  his  articles  ;  to  the  newspaper  reporter 
in  noting  interviews,  etc.;  to  the  physician  :n  recording  his 
cases;  to  the  lawyer  in  preparing  his  briefs  and  other  docu- 
ments ;  to  the  minister  in  writing  his  sermons  ;  and  to  each  of 
these  and  to  every  other  intelligent  man  and  woman  who  has 
memoranda  to  make,  diaries  to  keep,  or  letters  to  write.  And 
not  only  does  it  save  time,  but  it  also  saves  the  nervous 
irritation,  the  wear  and  tear  inseparable  from  the  tedious, 
plodding  drudgery  of  longhand  writing.  The  late  lion. 
Thomas  H.  Benton  summed  up  the  whole  matter  when  he 
said,  "  Had  this  art  been  known  forty  years  ago  it  icanld  liai'e 
saved  fitc  twenty  years  of  hard  labor." 

Second  :  Because  of  its  Business  or  Professional  Usefulness. 
The  degree  of  skill  which  makes  Phonography  so  eminentlv 
useful  for  all  personal  writing,  is  not  necessarily  an  expert 
degree  of  skill,  but  is  such  as  can  be  readily  acquired  and 
easily  retained  by  ordinary  people.  The  phonographer,  how- 
ever, who  is  willing  to  bestow  a  reasonable  amount  of  time 
upon  the  acquirement  of  expert  skill  ma}7  always  find  profes- 
sional employment  and  profitable  remuneration  at  a  rate 
proportionate  to  his  ability.  The  ability  to  write  100  words 
per  minute  from  dictation  may  be  acquired  by  an}-  intelligent 
young  man  or  woman  in  the  course  of  a  few  months'  diligent 
practice,  and  this  with  the  ability  to  make  a  correct  and 
intelligent  transcript  of  notes  so  written,  into  good  longhand 
or  upon  a  writing  machine,  is  a  guarantee  against  enforced 
idleness  and  an  assurance  of  honorable  independence.  If  you 
are  seeking  such  a  means  of  self-support  here  is  another 
reason  why  you  should  learn  Phonography.  Phonographic 
amanuenses  are  now  largely  employed  in  business  houses, 
railroads  and  express  offices,  banks,  insurance  companies,  and 
other  corporations,  and  by  professional  men  ;  and  the  field  of 
employment  is  constantly  widening.  The  salaries  paid  to 
amanuenses  vary  largely,  according  to  the  amount  and  nature 
of  the  work  to  be  done,  but  it  is  safe  to  say  that  no  purely 
clerical  work,  which  requires  the  same  degree  of  education  and 
skill,  is  better  paid  for,  or  more  highly  appreciated  than  is  the 


236          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

work  of  the  amanuensis.  Nor  is  this  all ;  the  nature  of  the 
amanuensis'  work  is  just  such  as  to  bring  him  into  an  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  vital  feature  of  the  business  of  the  concern 
with  which  he  is  engaged — the  correspondence.  He  has 
therefore,  incomparably  the  best  chance  of  any  employee  for 
promotion  to  higher  and  more  responsible  employment  in  the 
n.anagement  of  affairs — and  in  this  way  Phonography  may 
become  a  stepping  stone  in  his  business  career. 

An  education  that  does  not  embrace  a  knowledge  of  Phono- 
graphy must  be  regarded  as  incomplete  and  short  of  the  wants 
of  the  age.  (594) 

Mis-Hearing. 

Mr.  Thomas  A.  Reed,  in  his  very  readable  "  Reminiscences 
of  a  Reporter,"  in  the  Isaac  Pitman's  Phonetic  Journal,  gives 
his  experience  under  this  head  as  follows. 

I  remember  a  witness  once  saying,  "  My  brother  was  home 
by  three  o'clock  ;  I  was  home  by  four,"  or  "  before."  Which 
he  meant  I  did  not  know,  and  I  do  not  know  to  this  day 
whether  I  gave  a  correct  interpretation  of  his  evidence.  "  What 
do  the  Turks  want  ?  To  be  a  nation,"  said  a  speaker  in 
Parliament.  <!  To  be  in  Asia,"  wrote  the  reporter,  and  the 
words  were  so  printed  "  Attenders  of  clubs,"  in  the  mouth  of 
Mr.  Bright,  was  transformed  into  "venders  of  gloves."  And 
the  latter  part  of  the  statement  that  "all  reforms  in  this 
country  have  been  brought  about  by  pressure,"  was  reported 
"brought  about  by  Prussia." 

When  an  absurd  and  obviously  wrong  word  or  phrase 
reaches  the  ear,  it  is  of  no  use  to  stop  and  think,  even  for  a 
second  or  two,  what  it  should  be  ;  the  only  safe  method  is  to 
write  precisely  what  is  heard,  no  matter  how  ridiculous  it  may 
be.  If  the  hand  hesitates,  the  pen  may  fall  behind  the 
speaker ;  and  if  a  blank  is  left  for  the  doubtful  word  or 
sentence,  when  the  reporter  comes  to  transcribe  his  notes,  he 
may  no  longer  remember  the  impression  that  was  made  upon 
his  ear,  which  was  probably  approximately  accurate,  and  would, 
on  a  little  reflection,  suggest  the  right  interpretation.  Indeed, 
while  a  reporter  is  in  the  act  of  taking  notes,  the  doubt  may 
be  removed.  The  speaker  may  use  the  same  phrase  again, 
and  this  time  the  sounds  are  clearly  uttered  and  accurately 
heard;  or,  even  without  this  help,  the  true  reading  may  flash 
upon  the  mind,  as  I  have  said,  by  a  kind  of  inspiration. 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  257 

It  need  hardly  be  said  that  mis-hearings  are  much  less  likc'v 
to  occur  when  the  mind  goes  with  the  hand,  and  it  is  intent 
upon  following  the  meaning  as  well  as  the  words  of  the 
speaker,  than  they  are  when  the  mind  is  wandering,  and  leav- 
ing the  fingers  to  do  their  mechanical  work  without  the  fricndlv 
guidance  of  the  brain.  1  have  often  written  the  most  atrocious 
nonsense  in  this  way,  and  I  doubt  not  the  experience  is  com- 
mon enough.  The  mistakes  will  generally  reveal  them.  -elves 
in  the  work  of  transcription  ;  but  there  is  a  danger,  if  they  are 
not  very  obvious,  of  their  going  uncorrected.  The  moral  of 
which  is  that  the  reporter  should  attend  to  sense  and  sound 
alike.  It  is  not  always"  an  easy  task.  In  following  a  long 
and  prosy  speech,  it  requires  a  considerable  effort  to  keep  the 
mind  from  wandering  to  other  topics  ,  while  in  taking  notes 
of  a  very  technical  or  metaphysical  address,  it  is  often  not 
only  difficult,  but  impossible,  to  follow  with  exactness  the 
speaker's  train  of  thought.  But  the  effort  should  be  made  if 
extreme  verbal  accuracy  is  needed.  It  is  not  surprising  that 
a  reporter's  writing  mechanically  should  convert  the  sentence, 
"  Pew-rates  are  the  greatest  enemies  of  the  church,"  into 
"  Curates  are  the  greatest  enemies  of  the  church."  But  it 
is  hardly  conceivable  that  the  mistake  should  have  been 
made  if  the  mind  and  the  hand  traveled  together.  The  error, 
however,  was  not  only  made  m  note  taking,  but,  I  believe,  also 
in  transcribing. 


Our  Army. 

Immediately  following  the  American  Revolution,  the  army 
of  the  United  States  numbered  about  five  thousand  men  ;  and 
it  was  about  that  time  that  General  Washington  said:  "In 
time  of  peace,  prepare  for  war." 

As  the  republic  was  making  its  way  into  the  Northwest 
Territory,  and  pushing  onward  across  the  plains  to  California, 
the  army  grew  gradually  in  numbers  until  the  maximum  of 
26,000  was  reached  in  1878,  which  number  of  men,  maintained 
in  a  high  state  of  efficiency  and  discipline,  comprised  the 
strength  of  the  army  until  the  spring  of  1898.  By  reason  of 
the  war  with  Spain,  the  army  was  increased  to  65,000,  and 
augmented  by  250,000  volunteer  soldiers.  From  its  organiza- 
tion in  the  early  days  of  the  republic  to  the  present  time,  the 
army  has  participated  in  one  hundred  or  more  campaigns,  wars, 
and  expeditions,  the  majority  of  these  being  against  hostile 


238  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

Indians  and  to  insure  the  protection  of  the  lives  and  property 
of  the  western  pioneers.  It  has  ever  proved  the  conservator 
of  peace,  law  and  order. 

Tr:2  regular  army  was  a  mere  nucleus,  or  framework,  upon 
which  to  build  an  effective  fighting  machine  ;  but  a  foreign  war 
had  not  been  prosecuted  for  more  than  half  a  century.  The 
skeleton  companies  and  regiments  were  recruited  to  a  new 
standard ;  and  upon  the  staff  corps  devolved  the  enormous 
labors  of  administration,  equipment  and  provisionment  of  two 
armies  (increased  tenfold  the  original  strength  of  the  regular 
force),  and  dispatching  them  abroad  to  the  West  and  East 
Indies.  At  the  same  time,  the  vast  expanse  of  seacoast  was 
protected  against  the  possibility  of  the  intrusion  of  a  hostile 
fleet.  A  victorious  war  has  been  concluded,  the  volunteer  army 
has  been  repatriated  and  mustered  out  of  service ;  and  the  men 
of  the  regular  army  who  enlisted  for  the  war  have  been  dis- 
charged, and  their  places  supplied  with  new  recruits  New 
experiences  have  presented  themselves  to  the  army,  and,  out 
of  the  emergencies  of  the  past  two  years,  have  developed 
defects  and  weaknesses  in  organization  which  should  be 
remedied  while  the  experiences  are  fresh,  and  the  possibilities 
of  disaster  are  felt  and  known.  Looking  to  this  end,  the 
secretary  of  war  submitted  a  draft  of  a  bill  to  congress,  with  a 
favorable  recommendation,  covering  these  desired  reforms, 
which  are  deemed  of  first  importance  to  the  efficiency  of  the 
army  :  (i)  promotion  in  the  line  ;  (2)  tenure  of  staff  appoint- 
ments, and  the  relations  between  the  staff  and  the  line  ;  and 
(3)  reorganization  of  the  artillery. 

The  provision  as  to  promotions  provides  that  every  third 
promotion  to  the  grade  of  major,  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
colonel,  shall  be  by  selection,  and  is  designed  to  afford  oppor- 
tunity for  rewarding  exceptional  ability,  devotion  to  duty, 
proper  ambition,  and  manifest  fitness  to  command,  as  demon- 
strated in  conspicuous  gallantry  in  action.  This  provision 
would  gradually  bring  the  most  competent  officers  to  positions 
of  command.  The  present  law  permits  promotions  by  seniority 
only  ;  the  President  is  thereby  prohibited  from  recognizing 
meritorious  or  gallant  conduct,  and  the  devoted  and  ambitious 
young  man  is  precluded  from  advancing  himself  by  his  own 
exertion  over  inefficient  and  incompetent  officers  who  may  be 
about  him.  The  provision  is  safely  guarded,  too,  from  per- 
sonal or  political  influences. 


MISCELLANEOUS    SELECTIONS.  -,, 

The  provision  relating  to  staff  organizations  provide-  i<  r 
the  abolition  of  the  present  permanent  appointments,  ami  for 
the  substitution  of  details  from  the  Ime  to  the  stall'  for  four 
years.  This  provision  is  intended  to  increase  the  efiu  ienry  of 
both  the  staff  and  the  line,  by  giving  to  each  a  mm.  intimate 
knowledge  and  appreciation  of  the  needs  of  the  other,  and 
thereby  obtaining  a  larger  body  of  all-round,  trained  officers 
in  every  branch  of  the  service.  The  army  is  now  scattered  in 
Cuba,  Porto  Rico,  the  Philippines,  the  Hawaiian  I.-laiul>, 
Alaska,  and  the  various  states.  Abroad,  it  is  useful  bringing 
order  out  of  chaos,  for,  until  congress  provides  the  proper 
legislation,  the  building  up  of  the  fabric  of  civil  government 
must  be  accomplished  by  our  army — the  ever  faithful  exponent 
and  messenger  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  the  flag  and  symbol 
of  liberty,  enlightenment,  progress  and  individual  rights  and 
liberties. — Henry  C.  Corbin,  Adjutant-General,  U.S.A.  (607) 

Opportunities  in  the  Civil  Service. 

The  civil  service  examination  is,  of  course,  the  mountain 
which  must  be  scaled.  But,  before  attempting  it,  or  beginning 
to  prepare  for  it,  one  should  know  something  of  the  conditions 
which  prevail  in  the  civil  service  ;  otherwise,  he  may  make  the 
unfortunate  mistake  of  entering  upon  a  career  not  suitable  to 
him.  In  the  service,  promotion  is  usually  slow  and  the  duties 
confining.  You  must  be  content  to  wait,  to  work  long  and 
hard,  to  always  take  orders  from  some  one  higher  in  authority, 
and  to  give  up  dreams  of  riches.  The  life  is  not  the  kind  that 
appeals  to  a  young  man  who  is  restless  under  restraint,  or 
wants  to  do  things  in  his  own  way.  If  his  way  is  not  so  good 
as  the  one  prescribed  for  him,  the  civil  service  does  not  want 
him,  and  if  it  is  better,  he  does  not  want  the  civil  service,  where 
tried  systems  tend  to  bligiu  originality,  and  prevent  it  from 
bearing  fruits  it  might  yield  in  less  restricted  fields. 

On  the  other  hand,  men  and  women  in  the  civil  service  are 
standing  on  comparatively  solid  ground.  They  are  not  re- 
moved except  for  specified  cause.  They  need  not  worry  about 
fheir  future  prospects  as  long  as  they  remain  good  workers 
and  respectable  members  of  society.  They  are  reasonably  sure 
of  their  positions,  since  the  municipal  and  federal  governments 
do  not  fail,  or  sell  out,  or  retire  from  business,  leaving  their 
employees  to  begin  over  again.  Ambitions  may  be  realized, 


24O          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

too.  By  showing  special  ability  or  unusual  industry,  a  young 
man-  may  rise  in  his  department,  and  obtain,  through  his 
position,  special  knowledge  that  will  enable  him  to  gain  top 
marks  in  examinations  for  places  of  greater  responsibility  and 
higher  pay.  Marked  capa  bihty  and  careful  work  will  carry  him 
up  in  the  civil  service,  just  as  in  business  or  the  professions. 

But  the  great  majority  of  those  who  desire  to  enter  th: 
public  service  fail  in  the  very  first  step;  that  is,  they  do  nov 
pass  the  first  examination.  These  examinations  are  based  on 
two  things,  namely  :  general  knowledge  and  imelligcnce,  and 
the  special  knowledge  that  is  required  in  the  position  for  which 
the  examination  is  being  held.  For  technical  and  scientific 
work,  the  special  qualifications  naturally  have  the  greater 
weight,  and  the  examinations  cannot  be  passed  by  those  who 
have  not  had  previous  training  in  these  lines.  But,  for  the 
majority  of  places  in  the  service,  the  general  qualifications  are 
the  more  important,  thus  causing  these  places  to  be  open  to 
any  American  citizen  of  intelligence  and  fair  education.  The 
duties  are  mainly  clerical  in  a  very  large  number  of  positions, 
and,  in  the  competitive  tests  for  appointment  to  them,  hand- 
writing, English  composition,  spelling  and  arithmetic,  are  the 
subjects  to  which  the  largest  number  of  marks  is  alloted.  The 
applicant  who  is  master  of  these  simple  branches  has  an 
excellent  chance  of  being  high  up  on  the  eligible  list,  for  my 
experience  with  great  numbers  of  examination  papers  has 
proved  to  me  that  the  average  citizen  is  none  too  accurate  in 
these  rudiments  of  an  education.  In  papers  submitted  in  the 
contests  for  positions  of  a  more  or  less  clerical  character,  we 
look  first  to  the  penmanship.  It  must  be  legible  and  it  must 
be  neat,  without  flourishes.  Next,  the  applicant  must  be  able 
to  compose,  properly  spell,  punctuate,  and  paragraph,  a  letter. 
And  he  must  be  able  to  work  out  mathematical  problems 
reaching  through  percentage.  Haste  and  carelessness  are  very 
often  evident  in  the  papers.  Questions  are  wrongly  read  or 
interpreted,  and  answered  in  a  slipshod  manner.  Those  taking 
the  examination  should  remember  that,  in  the  civil  service, 
careful  execution  of  work  counts  for  as  much  as  knowledge  of 
how  to  do  it. 

On  most  of  the  papers,  a  certain  number  of  marks  is  given 
for  experience  or  special  knowledge  of  the  duties  of  the  position 
which  is  sought.  The  man  who  has  learned  what  he  could  of 
a  line  of  work  during  a  few  months  before  the  examination, 


MISCELLANEOUS   SELECTIONS.  241 

frequently  passes  better  than  the  man  who  has  been  engaged 
in  it  for  a  number  of  years.  The  latter  is  apt  to  have  narrowed 
himself  to  some  particular  phase  of  the  work,  and  to  have  lost 
sight  of  the  broad  fundamentals. 

A  great  advantage  of  this  system  is  that  it  opens  to  many 
persons  opportunities  of  profitable  work  that  would  otherwise 
be  closed  to  them. — Lee  Phillips,  Secretary,  New  York  Civil 
Service  Commission. 


16  D.  R. 


242  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 


SHORT  TALKS  WITH  THE  AMANUENSIS, 

A  collection  of  timely  talks  condensed  from  editorials  which  have 
appeared  in  the  columns  of  "  Pitman's  Phonetic  Journal," 


The  First  Situation. 

The  first  situation  is  a  test.  It  puts  the  beginner  on  his 
mettle.  He  has  not  only  to  show  what  he  can  do,  but  to  dis- 
cover for  himself  what  he  can  do.  He  finds  usually  some 
quite  unexpected  short-comings,  some  hitherto  unsuspected 
weaknesses  of  knowledge.  The  first  letter  that  he  takes  down 
from  the  dictation  of  an  actual  employer  is  somehow  different 
from  anything  that  he  had  anticipated :  he  wonders  whether 
he  has  got  it  correctly,  and  whether  his  transcript  will  be 
satisfactory.  If  it  proves  to  be  accurate,  he  enjoys  a  sense  of 
exhilaration  that  never  comes  to  cheer  the  older  and  more  staid 
worker.  The  test  of  character  occurs  when  the  beginner  is 
confronted  with  his  own  mistakes.  Mistakes  there  will  always 
be.  We  may  learn  more  from  our  mistakes  than  from  our 
successes.  How  does  the  beginner  use  his  errors  ?  Has  he 
the  wit  to  search  and  see  how  the  blunder  originated,  and  how 
it  can  be  avoided  in  the  future  ?  Or  does  he  merely  shrug  his 
shoulders  and  excuse  himself  with  the  reflection  that  he  "could 
not  help  it"  ?  In  short,  does  he  profit  by  his  mistakes  or  not  ? 
When  he  finds  that  his  knowledge  is  defective,  as,  for  instance, 
when  he  encounters  in  dictation  some  word  or  phrase  with 
which  he  is  unacquainted,  does  he  look  up  a  dictionary  or  a 
book  of  reference,  or  inquire  of  a  fellow  clerk,  so  as  to  be  sure 
that  the  expression  is  rendered  correctly  in  his  transcript  ?  Or 
does  he  make  a  guess  at  what  it  should  be  ?  Little  things  like 
this  are  important  indications  of  character.  They  are  among 
the  tests  that  come  to  every  beginner  in  his  first  situation. 
Ability  counts  for  much ;  knowledge  counts  for  much  ;  but 
behind  them  both,  more  important  than  either,  is  character. 

The  first  situation  may  be  the  beginning  of  a  long  and  suc- 
cessful career  ;  or  it  may  be  the  first  of  a  long  series  of  failures. 


SHORT    TALKS   "WITH    THE    AMANUKNSIS.  243 

To  have  a  sound  knowledge  to  start  with  begets  confidence, 
and  in  no  other  subject  more  than  in  shorthand  is  this  the  ca-c. 
But  a  sound  knowledge  is  never  acquired  except  by  those  who 
possess  some  good  qualities  of  character,  and  it  is  these  that 
business  life  needs.  Where  they  are  present,  the  initial 
knowledge  will  be  steadily  supplemented,  will  grow  and  in- 
crease day  by  day,  and  as  it  grows  by  use  it  will  strengthen 
the  aptitudes,  upon  the  proper  exercise  of  which  success  in 
business  very  largely  depends.  (4 16) 


On  Entering  a  Situation. 

"  He  who  would  be  useful  to  mankind  must  accommodate 
himself  to  their  manners."  The  shorthand  clerk  who  enters 
an  office  with  which  he  has  not  been  previously  connected, 
•??.nnot  afford  to  disregard  this  old  truism.  He  must  begin  at 
once  to  look  about  him  and  adapt  himself  with  all  speed  to  his 
surroundings.  The  first  consideration  will  be  to  find  out 
those  peculiarities  of  the  business,  either  in  technical  language, 
figures,  or  routine,  which  are  likely  at  the  first  to  prove  a 
stumbling  block  in  the  exercise  of  his  art  as  a  phonographer, 
and  in  the  way  of  an  intelligent  transcript  of  his  notes.  No 
more  ready  or  valuable  means  of  doing  this  can  be  afforded 
than  by  acquainting  himself  with  the  contents  of  the  letter 
books,  and  especially  the  recent  ones.  In  these  letter  books 
he  will  find  the  history  of  the  business  written  in  the  language 
which  he  will  have  to  write  in  shorthand.  He  will  there  note 
what  are  the  peculiar  terms  employed,  and  what  are  the  most 
frequently  recurring  groups  of  words.  Having  entered  the 
same  in  a  book  provided  for  the  purpose,  he  should  then  pro- 
vide some  special  contractions,  if  necessary,  so  as  to  enable 
him  to  take  down  such  terms  or  groups  of  words  with  facility 
and  despatch.  To  get  the  full  value  out  of  such  contractions, 
they  should  be  written  out  again  and  again  until  he  can  write 
them  readily.  A  little  time  spent  in  this  way  at  the  outset 
will  soon  make  the  new  comer  familiar  with  the  peculiarities 
of  the  business,  and  will  not  only  prove  useful  by  enabling 
him  to  anticipate  difficulties  and  giving  him  confidence  in  his 
first  attempt  at  note-taking,  but  every  addition  to  his  know- 
ledge of  the  business  will  also  be  of  the  greatest  value  to  him 
in  transcribing  his  notes.  (3°S) 


244  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

The  Shorthand  Writer's  Vocabulary. 

For  the  shorthand  writer  the  need  of  an  extensive  vocabu- 
lary is  more  urgent  than  for  anybody  else.  Without  it  he 
cannot  possess  that  readiness  to  undertake  whatever  work  he 
may  be  entrusted  with — work  that  has  to  be  undertaken 
usually  at  a  moment's  notice.  How  shall  he  get  an  extensive 
vocabulary?  It  is  only  to  be  got  by  study  and  practice: 
there  is  no  other  way.  As  the  statistician  reduces  everything 
to  figures,  so  it  is  the  shorthand  writer's  business  to  reduce 
everything  to  the  symbols  of  his  art.  Even  in  the  humblest 
sphere  of  shorthand  work  it  is  not  safe  to  neglect  the  cultiva- 
tion of  a  good  range  of  words.  Unless  a  word  is  known  when 
it  is  heard,  it  causes  embarrassment  to  the  writer  who  attempts 
to  take  it  down.  Embarrassment  means  delay,  and  delays  are 
peculiarly  dangerous  to  the  writer  who  is  following  a  speaker. 
Extensive  reading  and  study  of  all  kinds  of  literary,  commer- 
cial, and  technical  matter,  equally  extensive  practice  in  writing 
it,  the  rigorous  consulting  of  dictionaries  and  other  works  of 
reference  when  any  doubt  is  felt  as  to  spelling  or  signification  : 
these  are  part  of  the  discipline  to  which  the  shorthand  writer 
who  would  shine  in  his  calling  must  inevitably  subject  himself.. 
When  that  discipline  has  been  undergone,  he  may  take  first 
rank  as  an  artist  in  words  :  without  it  he  must  be  content  with 
an  inferior  position  in  the  profession  he  has  chosen.  (240) 

Things  that  Pay. 

The  universal  desire  to  "  get  on,"  to  rise  in  life,  means,  in 
one  aspect  at  all  events,  the  desire  to  find  out  the  things  that 
pay,  the  things  that  in  the  long  run  produce  the  best  results, 
pecuniarily  and  otherwise.  Unfortunately  the  desire  is  by  no 
means  necessarily  accompanied  with  any  adequate  conception 
of  the  nature  of  the  things  that  do  pay,  or  of  the  methods  by 
which  a  grip  of  these  things  may  be  obtained.  Too  commonly 
the  desire  co-exists  with  a  strong  determination  to  put  forth  a 
minimum  of  effort,  and  expect  that  great  results  are  to  be 
reached  with  the  scantiest  possible  expenditure  of  energy  and 
thought.  Ultimately  life  reveals  the  hopeless  fatuity  of  the 
delusion,  but  the  lesson  is  often  too  late.  What,  then,  are 
the  things  that  pay — the  things  that  always  pay  if  they  are 
persevered  in  and  followed  consciously,  deliberately,  and  per- 
tinaciously ?  Let  us  enumerate  a  few  of  them. 


SHORT  TALKS  WITH  THE  AMANUENSIS.          24; 

It  pays  when  you  take  up  a  study,  to  learn  it  thoroughly. 
No  trifling  with  it,  no  smattering  of  it,  helps  anybody  very 
much.  If  it  is  shorthand,  it  will  pay  those  only  who  master 
all  there  is  to  be  learned  from  the  text-books,  and  then  practise 
reading  and  writing  it  strenuously  until  they  are  able  to  pro- 
duce the  very  best  results.  We  are  not  all  equal  in  native 
skill,  we  are  not  all  endowed  with  the  same  qualities,  but  there- 
is  much  that  we  can  all  do  before  we  reach  the  limits  of  our 
capacity.  It  pays  the  young  clerk  to  stud}-  every  subject  a 
knowledge  of  which  is  wanted  in  the  commercial  office.  A 
knowledge  of  modern  languages,  and  especially  of  German  and 
Spanish,  pays  in  the  business  world  of  to-day.  A  precise 
knowledge  of  business  technicalities  pays  too.  It  is  a  false 
economy  to  stint  oneself  in  accomplishments  because  the 
acquisition  of  them  involves  expenditure  in  money  and  inroads 
upon  leisure  time,  and  frequent  absence  from  attractive  or 
exciting  "sports."  It  pays  to  learn  everything  that  will  help 
to  make  you  a  more  efficient  worker,  and  it  does  not  pay  to 
neglect  anything  that  will  increase  your  efficiency. 

And  there  are  certain  things  of  character  that  it  pays  the 
shorthand  clerk  and  the  typist  to  cultivate  with  all  the  assiduity 
and  persistence  of  which  they  are  capable.  It  pavs  to  be 
punctual  in  arriving  at  the  office,  and  it  pays  to  be  willing  to 
stay  after  office  hours  in  times  of  pressure.  It  pays  to  make 
concessions  sometimes  rather  than  adopt  an  inflexible  habit  of 
insisting  on  one's  rights.  It  pays  to  be  painstaking,  to  do  as 
well  as  it  possibly  can  be  done  every  little  bit  of  work  that  falls 
to  your  lot ;  it  pays  to  be  zealous,  and  to  do  rather  more  than 
your  mere  duty ;  it  pays  to  be  courteous  and  obliging  to  your 
colleagues,  to  be  ready  and  willing  to  assist  them  in  their  tasks 
when  they  need  assistance  ;  it  pays  to  be  entirely  conscientious 
in  small  things  as  well  as  in  large  things  ;  it  pays  to  be  strictly 
honest  even  as  regards  trifles,  for  it  is  not  without  good  reason 
that  the  experience  of  the  whole  world  has  established  the 
proposition,  "  Honesty  is  the  best  policy  " ;  it  pays  to  be  patient, 
to  watch  for  opportunities  of  advancement,  to  seize  them  as 
soon  as  they  come,  and  to  work  always  for  future  rather  than 
immediate  results.  It  pays  you  to  fit  yourself  for  more  re- 
sponsible and  more  lucrative  work  than  that  in  which  you 
happen  at  any  moment  to  be  engaged,  but,  if  you  desire  the 
more  responsible  and  more  lucrative  work,  it  pays  to  show 
that  you  can  be  relied  upon  to  perform  your  present  tasks  in 


246  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

such  a  way  as  to  give  satisfaction  to  everybody  whom  they 
concern. 

It  pays  to  be  vigilant  about  little  things.  Great  things  are 
the  sum  total  of  little  things,  and  there  is  no  great  success  that 
does  not  depend  upon  the  scrupulous  utilization  of  many  little 
things. 

There  is  such  a  thing  as  luck — that  is  to  say,  events  that 
influence  our  careers  favorably  or  unfavorably  do  happen 
apart  from  our  individual  wills ;  but  it  pays  to  forget  that  there 
is  such  a  thing  as  luck,  and  to  work  in  the  conviction  that  one's 
success  in  life  depends  entirely  on  one's  own  efforts.  (724) 

The  Essential  Thing. 

The  acme  of  attainment  in  shorthand  is  the  correct  tran- 
script, and  in  order  that  it  may  come  into  existence,  there  must 
be  legible  notes  in  shorthand,  and  they  must  be  not  merely 
notes  that  are  legible  to  the  expert,  but  notes  that  are  legible 
to  the  writer  of  them,  and  so  legible  that  he  can  transcribe 
them  promptly  and  without  error.  This  is  the  essential  thing 
to  which  all  other  things  are  subsidiary  and  subordinate. 
Phonography  is  not  written  for  the  purpose  of  conforming  in 
every  possible  instance  to  some  one  rule  of  writing.  It  is  not 
to  be  written  for  the  purpose  of  showing  how  many  words  it  is 
possible  to  join  together  in  one  ingenious  phraseogram.  It  is 
written  for  the  purpose  of  being  translated  correctly  and 
quickly  into  longhand.  Other  purposes  it  may  serve  and  serve 
well.  It  may  help  in  the  study,  of  foreign  languages.  It  may 
help  to  create  and  foster  the  habit  of  observing  the  sounds  of 
speech,  the  distinctions  between  those  sounds,  the  analogies 
between  them,  and  the  contrasts  of  one  with  another.  But 
primarily  it  is  written  to  be  read,  and  the  man  who  can  take 
his  notes  accurately  at  the  speed  with  which  the  exigencies  of 
his  work  require  the  notes  taken,  and  can  afterwards  read  his 
notes  without  blunder,  is  the  man  that  is  wanted  in  commerce 
to-day.  The  critic  perusing  the  notes  may  shrug  his  shoulders 
at  them,  but  the  testimony  of  a  correct  transcript  is  unanswer- 
able. The  essential  thing  has  been  achieved. 

The  degree  of  skill  that  the  correct  transcript  implies  is 
worth  attaining,  and  it  is  only  to  be  attained  by  the  beginner 
who  sets  himself  assiduously  to  the  task,  at  first  an  unattrac- 
tive one,  of  reading  everything  he  writes.  Where  this  task  is 


SHORT    TALKS   WITH    THE   AMA.NU1.NSIS.  247 

shirked,  as  it  often  is — neglected  as  a  piece  of  undesirable 
drudgery — danger  looms  ahead.  The  nicest  conformity  to 
theory,  the  most  beautiful  array  of  correct  phraseogrnms,  the 
most  perfect  system  of  vocalization,  will  not  atone  for  inability 
to  read  the  notes.  The  teacher  may,  as  many  teachers  do, 
spend  innumerable  hours  correcting  exercises,  but,  unless  the 
corrections  are  utilized  by  the  learner  as  a  means  of  leading 
him  on  to  the  goal  represented  by  the  production  of  an  accurate 
transcript,  the  corrections  represent  so  much  wasted  effort.  A 
very  large  percentage  of  the  failures  at  examinations  are  clue 
to  the  lack  of  careful  and  persistent  preparation  for  the  produc- 
tion of  that  accurate  transcript.  The  by  no  means  uncommon 
spectacle  of  a  shorthand  note  that  is  almost  perfect,  and  a 
transcript  that  is  full  of  errors,  speaks  quite  plainly  to  the 
examiner.  It  tells  of  determination  to  get  mere  skill  in 
writing  without  the  absolutely  indispensable  skill  in  reading 
also.  In  real  life  it  spells  failure :  the  essential  thing  is  the 
one  thing  that  cannot  be  neglected  with  impunity.  (479) 

Punctuation. 

Punctuation,  as  we  employ  it  to-day,  is  a  modern  device 
At  one  time  the  period  enjoyed  a  monopoly.  The  colon  has 
been  in  use  for  little  more  than  four  hundred  years.  Both  the 
comma  and  the  semicolon  are  later  inventions,  and  belong  to 
the  Sixteenth  century  The  period  originally  meant  "  stop," 
and  became  known  as  "  the  stop  "  ;  and  its  associates,  provided 
subsequently  to  serve  subordinate  purposes  in  the  sentence, 
were  grouped  with  it  in  popular  phraseology,  under  the  general 
description,  "stops."  Some  authors  use  the  colon  very 
sparingly,  and  prefer  the  period.  Others  multiply  commas 
needlessly.  Lawyers  adhere  to  old  customs,  and  still  frame 
documents  without  a  punctuation  mark  of  any  kind  from 
beginning  to  end.  This  involves  a  special  arrangement  of 
words,  and  compels  a  certain  amount  of  repetition,  not  unlucra- 
tive  to  the  legal  practitioner. 

By  the  use  of  commas,  colons,  and  semicolons  we  avoid  a 
multiplicity  of  connecting  words,  and  shorten  our  sentences 
while  we  increase  their  expressiveness.  For  ordinary  pur- 
poses, and  in  all  every-day  writing,  punctuation  marks  are 
indispensable.  Young  shorthand  writers  are  not  always  so 
keenly  alive  to  this  fact  as  they  ought  to  be.  Many  of  them 


248  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

enter  a  business  house  with  but  the  vaguest  notions  on  the 
subject  of  the  right  employment  of  "stops,"  and  the  transcripts 
they  present  to  impatient  emploj'ers  give  signs  only  too  often 
of  complete  failure  to  grasp  the  ordinary  rules  of  punctuation. 
Time  cures  the  defect  in  most  cases,  but  complaints,  criticisms, 
and  censures  are  frequently  necessary  before  the  existence  of 
the  defect  receives  ample  recognition  at  the  hands  of  the  scribe. 
More  important  still  is  it  for  the  shorthand  writer  who  is  also 
a  typist  to  have  clear  ideas  on  the  subject.  Typewritten 
matter  so  strongly  resembles  print,  that  we  look  for  the  same 
characteristics  in  both.  We  are  so  accustomed  to  correct 
punctuation  in  print  that  we  expect  it  in  every  typewritten 
production.  Its  absence  or  its  misuse  is,  therefore,  more 
readily  noticed.  Its  acquisition  presents  no  special  difficul- 
ties; the  rule  for  the  use  of  the  various  punctuation  marks  are 
simple ;  everything  that  one  reads  may  serve  as  a  reminder  of 
those  rules  by  showing  the  practical  application  of  them  ;  and 
daily  experience  shows  they  are  important.  Beginners  are  apt 
to  regard  punctuation  as  a  minor  matter,  but  there  is  nothing 
that  the  shorthand  writer  and  the  typist  need  to  understand 
more  thoroughly,  or  to  apply  with  more  intelligence.  (406) 


PRACTICAL    TALKS. 


249 


PRACTICAL   TALKS. 

A  collection  of  enthusiastic  and  ambitious  talks,  taken 
by  permission  from  "  Success,"  New  York. 


Study  should  have  a  Single  Purpose. 

One  cannot  know  too  much  of  a  subject.  Every  boy  and 
young  man  should  have  a  regular  course  of  study  of  some 
kind,  even  if  he  does  not  expect  to  use  his  knowledge  at  once. 
He  will  learn  to  accumulate  facts,  and  will  eventually  have  his 
mind  in  good  working  order,  a  most  important  and  desirable 
thing  nowada3^s.  In  fact,  there  is  everything  in  having  one's 
mind  systematized,  or  accustomed  to  system.  It  is  a  great 
mistake  to  try  to  do  many  things  at  once,  for  certainly  none  of 
them  will  be  done  well.  Try  one  thing  at  a  time,  and  do  that 
thing  well.  ,  It  is  the  best  general  rule  of  conduct  to  follow. 
Let  us  consider  what  the  consequences  are  likely  to  be.  A 
person  so  trained  will  be  able  to  take  advantage  of  the  oppor- 
tunities which  are  sure  to  come  his  way.  I  am  a  believer  in 
opportunity.  It  comes  to  everyone  sooner  or  later,  and  it  is 
indispensable  that  one  be  ready  to  take  advantage  of  it.  This 
is,  by  common  consent,  the  only  secret  of  success,  so-called. 
There  is  really  no  secret  about  it.  It  is  world-wide  experience. 
When  opportunities  do  not  seem  to  come  to  us,  it  is  entirely 
possible  to  make  them  for  ourselves.  I  certainly  do  not  believe 
in  waiting  for  them.  1  think  they  come  to  all  of  us,  sooner  or 
later.  We  may  not  know  it,  but  that  is  not  the  fault  of  the 
opportunities. — William  C.  Whitney.  (25°) 

The  Great  Test  Question. 

To  be  successful  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  the  word 
rhould  not,  by  any  means,  be  the  object  of  the  highest  ambition. 
Many  a  robust,  magnificent  nature  has  been  hopelessly 
withered  and  shrivelled  by  the  hot  blast  of  so-called  good  for- 
tune. The  question  is  not,  How  can  I  get  rich,  or  win  a  seat 


250  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

in  congress,  or  a  governor's  chair  ?  but,  What  will  be  the 
result  of  my  choice  of  a  life-work  upon  my  own  mind  and 
nature?  How  will  it  help  me  to  develop  that  divine  germ 
within  me  without  which  development  must  be  a  failure, 
though  I  accumulate  millions?  If  I  develop  the  brute 
faculties  by  cultivating  a  grasping  nature  ;  if  I  harden  my 
finer  sensibilities  while  struggling  to  accumulate  that  which 
rightly  belongs  to  another,  have  I  succeeded  ? 

The  only  real  success  possible  to  any  human  being  is  the 
higher  growth  of  himself.  Many  a  man  has  made  millions,  but 
lost  his  right  to  be  respected.  Many  a  man  has  accumulated 
lands  and  houses  and  stocks  and  bonds  who  cannot  face  his 
own  manhood,  for  he  knows  that  he  has  for  ever  forfeited  the 
right  to  his  own  self  respect.  The  man  who  cannot  respect 
himself,  who  is  guilty  of  violating  the  sacred  divinity  within 
him,  can  never  even  regard  himself  as  successful.  He  may, 
to  be  sure,  take  a  little  satisfaction  in  the  thought  that  the 
world  thinks  him  so,  and  that  thousands  covet  the  luxuries 
which  he  enjoys,  but  there  is  a  self-condemnation  which  is 
constantly  dragging  at  his  heart,  and  robbing  life  of  its  supreme 
satisfaction.  The  great  test  question,  Can  I,  after  this  pro- 
posed transaction,  after  the  carrying  out  of  this  thought  of 
plan,  this  projected  course,  respect  myself  as  much  as  before  ? 
would  doubtless  save  many  self  abasements  and  check  many 
a  character  wrecking  scheme.  It  is  surely  a  question  which  it 
would  often  pay  to  ask,  for  self  respect  is  the  great  bed  rock 
of  real  happiness.  (33  0 

Self-Confidence. 

A  man.'s  success  in  life  is  usually  in  proportion  to  his  con- 
fidence in  himself  and  the  energy  and  persistence  with  which 
he  pursues  his  aim.  In  this  competing  age,  there  is  little  hope 
for  the  man  who  does  not  thoroughly  believe  in  himself.  The 
man  who  can  be  easily  discouraged  or  turned  aside  from  his 
purpose,  the  man  who  has  no  iron  in  his  blood,  will  never  win. 

Half  the  giant's  strength  is  in  the  conviction  that  he  is  a 
giant.  The  strength  of  a  muscle  is  enhanced  a  hundredfold 
by  the  will  power.  The  same  muscle,  when  removed  from  the 
giant's  arm,  when  divorced  from  the  force  of  the  mighty  will, 
can  sustain  but  a  fraction  of  the  weight  it  did  a  moment  before 
it  was  disconnected. 


PRACTICAL    TALKS.  251 

If  you  would  succeed  up  to  the  limit  of  your  possibilities 
hold  constantly  to  the  belief  that  you  are  success-organized, 
and  that  you  will  be  successful,  no  matter  what  opposes. 
Never  allow  a  shadow  of  doubt  to  enter  your  mind  that  the 
Creator  intended  you  to  win  in  life's  battle.  Regard  every 
suggestion  that  your  life  may  be  a  failure,  that  you  are  not 
made  like  those  who  succeed,  and  that  success  is  not  for  you. 
as  a  traitor,  and  expel  it  from  your  mind  as  you  would  a  thief 
from  your  house. 

Oh,  what  miracles  confidence  has  wrought !  What  impossible 
deeds  it  has  helped  to  perform!  It  took  Napoleon  over  the 
Alps  in  mid-winter ;  it  took  Farragut  and  Devvey  past  the 
cannons,  torpedoes  and  mines  of  the  enemy  ;  it  led  Nelson  and 
Grant  to  victory ;  it  has  been  the  great  tonic  in  the  world  of 
discovery,  invention,  and  art ;  it  has  helped  to  win  the 
thousand  triumphs  in  war  and  science  which  were  deemed 
impossible. 

A  man's  greatest  enemies  are  his  doubts.  Resolutely  refuse 
to  surround  yourself  with  an  army  of  doubts,  fears,  and 
anxieties.  Vigorously  dispel  these  foes  of  your  success  and 
happiness,  or  they  will  undermine  your  future.  Be  firmly 
convinced  that  you  are  made  in  the  image  of  perfection, 
designed  for  success  and  happiness,  and  that  you  have  the 
power  to  strangle  the  evils  which  would  thwart  you. 

Never  admit  defeat  or  poverty,  though  you  seem  to  be  down, 
and  have  not  a  cent.  Stoutly  assert  your  divine  right  to  be  a 
man,  and  hold  your  head  up  and  look  the  world  in  the  face ; 
step  bravely  to  the  front,  whatever  opposes,  and  the  world  will 
make  way  for  you.  No  one  will  insist  upon  your  rights  while 
you  yourself  doubt  that  you  have  any.  Hold  firmly  the 
conviction  that  you  possess  the  qualities  requisite  for  success. 
Never  allow  yourself  to  be  a  traitor  to  your  own  cause  by 
undermining  your  self-confidence. 

There  never  was  a  time  before  when  persistent,  original 
force  was  so  much  in  demand  as  now.  The  namby-pamby, 
nerveless  man  has  little  show  in  the  hustling,  bustling  world 
of  to-day.  In  the  twentieth  century  a  man  must  either  push 
or  be  pushed. 

Every  one  admires  the  man  who  can  assert  his  rights,  and 
has  the  power  to  demand  and  take  them  if  denied  him.  No 
one  can  respect  the  man  who  slinks  in  the  rear  and  apologizes 
for  being  in  the  world.  Negative  virtues  are  of  no  use  in 


252  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

winning    one's  way.     It   is  the  positive  man,  the  man   with 
original  energy  and  push  that  forges  to  the  front. 

The  man  without  self-confidence  and  an  iron  will  is  the 
plaything  of  chance,  the  puppet  of  his  environment,  the  slave 
of  circumstances.  With  these  he  is  king,  ever  master  of  the 
situation.  (603) 

The  Miracle- Working  Passion. 

Enthusiasm  has  always  been  the  ruling  passion  of  men  and 
women  who  have  attained  to  greatness.  No  one  has  ever 
moved  the  heart  of  the  world  who  has  not  been  touched  by  this 
divine  fire.  Emerson  says  :  "  Every  good  and  commanding 
movement  in  the  annals  of  the  world  is  the  triumph  of 
enthusiasm.  Nothing  great  was  ever  accomplished  without  it." 

Disraeli  considered  enthusiasm  an  incomparable  faculty,  a 
divine  gift  which  enables  a  statesman  to  command  the  world 
Phillips  Brooks  used  to  caution  young  clergymen  against  the 
danger  of  losing  their  enthusiasm,  as  he  thought  nothing  of 
importance  could  be  accomplished  without  it. 

No,  there  is  no  substitute  for  enthusiasm.  It  makes  all  the 
difference  between  a  half  heart  and  a  whole  heart,  between 
signal  defeat  and  splendid  victory.  The  young  man  who  hopes 
to  succeed  to-day  must  be  smitten  with  this  master  passion  or 
his  life  will  be  a  comparative  failure.  The  one-talented  who. 
has  fallen  in  love  with  his  work,  who  is  enthusiastic  over  his 
vccition,  will  accomplish  infinitely  more  in  life  than  the  ten- 
talented  man  who  has  not  been  touched  by  this  heavenly 
spark.  It  is  the  enthusiasm  of  youth  which  cuts  the  Gordian 
knot,  which  age  cannot  untie.  If  a  youth  is  possessed  by  the 
divine  flame  of  enthusiasm  he  is  not  likely  to  be  chilled  by  the 
most  uncongenial  surroundings,  or  daunted  by  seemingly 
insurmounted  obstacles.  (23]) 

The  Road  to  Success. 

There  is  but  one  straight  road  to  success,  and  that  is  Merjt 
The  man  who  is  successful  is  the  man  who  is  useful,  Capacity 
never  lacks  opportunit}r.  It  cannot  remairT  undiscovered, 
because  it  is  sought  by  too  many  anxious  to  utilize  it.  A 
capable  man  on  earth  is  more  valuable  than  any  precious 
deposit  under  the  earth,  and  the  object  of  a  much  more  vigilant 
search.  Whoever  undertakes  to  build  a  house,  to  cultivate  a 
farm,  to  work  a  mine,  to  obtain  relief  from  pain,  to  maintain  a 


PRACTICAL   TALKS.  25:; 

legal  controversy,  or  to  perform  any  function  of  civilized  life, 
is  actively  searching  for  other  men  qualified  to  aid  him.  To 
appreciate  the  thoroughness  of  the  search,  it  is  necessary  only 
to  realize  the  number  of  persons  engaged  in  all  these  pursuits 
and  undertakings  throughout  the  world.  From  such  a  search, 
no  form  of  ability  can  remain  concealed.  If  the  possessor  of 
capacity  sought  to  hide  himself,  he  would  be  discovered  and 
induced  to  employ  his  ability  for  the  benefit  of  those  who 
need  it. 

To  be  successful,  then,  one  has  but  to  quality  himself 
thoroughly  for  some  occupation.  Every  man  has  some  natural 
aptitude.  In  these  days,  the  training  by  which  natural  aptitude 
is  developed  into  effective  ability  can  be  obtained  by  every 
youth.  No  man  can  hope  to  be  the  best  in  any  field  of  labor, 
but  everyone  can  hope  to  be  among  the  best.  Time  occupied 
in  worrying  about  opportunities,  openings,  and  starts,  is  time 
wasted,  because,  to  every  capable  man,  a  "  start "  and  an 
"  opportunity  "  are  always  furnished  by  the  necessities  of  all 
other  men. —  W.  Bourkc  Cockran.  (274) 

Stick  to  a  Thing  and  Carry  it  Through. 

There  is  no  luck,  for  all  practical  purposes,  to  him  who  is 
not  striving,  and  whose  senses  are  not  all  eagerly  attent. 
What  are  called  accidental  discoveries  are  almost  invariably 
made  by  those  who  are  looking  for  something.  A  man  incurs 
about  as  much  risk  of  being  struck  by  lightning  as  by  acci- 
dental luck.  There  is,  perhaps,  an  element  of  luck  in  the 
amount  of  success  which  crowns  the  efforts  of  different  men  ; 
but  even  here  it  will  usually  be  found  that  the  sagacity  with 
which  the  efforts  are  directed  and  energy  with  which  they  are 
prosecuted  measure  pretty  accurately  the  luck  contained  in 
the  results  achieved.  Apparent  exceptions  will  be  found  to 
relate  almost  wholly  to  single  undertakings,  while  in  the  long 
run  the  rule  will  hold  good.  Two  pearl-divers,  equally  expert, 
dive  together,  and  work  with  equal  energy.  One  brings  up  a 
pearl,  while  the  other  returns  empty-handed.  But  let  both 
persevere,  and  at  the  end  of  five,  ten,  or  twenty  years,  it  will 
be  found  that  they  have  succeeded  almost  in  exact  proportion 
to  their  skill  and  industry. 

Stick  to  the  thing  and  carry  it  through.  Believe  you  were 
made  for  the  place  you  fill,  and  that  no  one  else  can  fill  it  as 
well.  Put  forth  your  whole  energy.  Be  awake,  electrify 


254          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

yourself;  go  forth  to  the  task.  Only  once  learn  to  carry  a 
thing  through  in  all  its  completeness  and  proportion,  and  you 
will  become  a  hero.  You  will  think  better  of  yourself;  others 
will  think  better  of  you  The  world  in  its  very  heart  admires 
the  stern  determined  doer.  (267) 

Your  Ideal  must  Possess  You. 

To  succeed,  a  man  must  be  possessed,  carried  away  with  his 
work.  Who  ever  heard  of  an  artist  producing  a  great  picture 
who  did  not  fall  in  love  with  his  ideal,  who  did  not  dream  of 
it  at  night,  did  not  constantly  see  the  vision  during  his  waking 
hours,  did  not  return  again  and  again  to  his  canvas,  each  time 
finding  room  for  improvement,  adding  a  touch  here  and  there, 
working  with  tireless  zeal  to  reproduce  the  beauty  of  the  pic- 
ture photographed  on  his  brain  ?  What  great  book  was  ever 
written  without  the  inspiration  of  enthusiasm  :  without  utter 
absorption  in  the  characters,  the  plot,  the  minutest  details  of 
the  work  ?  Dickens  was  so  enthusiastic  over  the  characters 
of  his  creation,  that  he  lived  with  them  day  and  night.  They 
seemed  to  possess  him,  and  he  would  go  wandering  around, 
at  times,  as  if  in  dreamland,  while  under  the  pressure  of  this 
intense  consciousness  of  their  reality,  literally  haunted  by 
them.  Michael  Angelo  was  so  filled  with  enthusiasm  in  his 
glorious  work,  and  so  afraid  that  the  thought  of  money  might 
taint  his  brush,  that  he  positively  refused  to  accept  any 
remuneration  whatever  for  his  masterpieces  in  the  Vatican  and 
St.  Peter's.  Raphael's  enthusiasm  inspired  every  artist  in 
Italy. 

Indeed,  what  has  enthusiasm  not  accomplished?  It  has 
painted  the  great  pictures,  written  the  great  books,  inspired 
the  great  poems,  performed  the  great  engineering  featst  built 
the  great  bridges,  tunneled  the  great  rivers  and  mountains, 
built  cities,  crossed  "  impossible "  Alps.  It  has  founded 
colleges  and  universities,  built  hospitals  and  asylums,  founded 
newspapers,  invented  the  telegraph  and  telephone.  It  laid  the 
Atlantic  cable  after  thirteen  years  of  struggle  and  defeat.  It 
sent  Stephenson's  locomotive  triumphant  on  its  way,  in  spite 
of  carping  critics.  It  forced  Fulton's  "  Folly  "  up  the  Hudson 
to  demonstrate  to  all  coming  time  the  wisdom  of  the  inventor. 
It  swung  Brooklyn  Bridge  over  the  East  River.  In  fact,  it 
has  accomplished  what  the  world  considered  the  impossible 
everywhere.  (329) 


PRACTICAL    TALKS.  2;; 

Choosing  an  Occupation. 

The  first  requirement  cf  the  college  graduate  is  power.  It 
does  not  matter  how  much  you  know  or  how  much  talent  you 
have  ;  if  you  cannot  transmute  your  acquirements  into  prac- 
tical power,  you  will  be  a  failure.  This  is  a  very  hard,  practical, 
common-sense  century.  Theories  do  not  avail.  The  world 
does  not  ask  what  you  know,  but  "  What  can  you  do  '.J " 
"  Can  you  make  use  of  what  you  know  ?  "  It  wants  men  who 
can  do  things,  not  dreanToT  them  or  theorize  about  them. 

If  yoiThave  learned  to  think  in  practical  terms  ;  if  you  have 
used  your  college  as  a  grindstone  to  give  edge  to  your  faculties 
and  sharpen  your  mental  powers ;  if  you  have  used  it  as  a 
gymnasium,  not  that  you  may  carry  away  the  weights  and 
pulleys  and  other  apparatus,  but  to  develop  your  native  force ; 
if  your  education  has  been  a  calling  out,  an  expansion  of  the 
forces  within  you,  and  not  a  mertTstuffirig  and  cramming  pro- 
cess, the  world  will  not  long  keep  you  waiting  for  a  place.  If 
your  college  has  increased  your  power  to  do,  and  not  merely 
polished  you  up  a  little,  you  will  have  no  difficulty  in  winning 
3'our  way.  The  world  wants  leaders,  thinkers,  doers,  men  of 
power  and  action,  men  who  can  step  out  from  the  crowd  and 
lead  instead  of  following. 

The  first  years  after  graduation  mark  the  dangerous  period 
in  a  young  man's  life.  In  the  majority  of  cases,  the  graduate 
is  open-hearted,  generous,  and  susceptible.  He  has-  faith  in 
men  and  institutions  ;  he  is  optimistic,  and  does  not  realize 
how  quickly  contact  with  hard  facts  and  actual  conditions  will 
tend  to  harden  him,  to  lower  his  standard,  to  dwarf  his  ideal. 
He  does  not  appreciate  the  demoralizing,  brutalizing  influence 
of  a  mere  money-making  career,  which  strangles  all  the  finer 
instincts  for  the  good,  the  beautiful  and  the  true,  dries  up 
the  sympathies  and  dwarfs  the  growth  of  the  higher  self, 
marbleizes  the  affections,  and  crushes^  out  all  that  makes  life 
strong,  serene,  sweet  and  noble.  He  does  not  realize  that  the 
highest  character  cannot  be  developed  under  a  low,  sordid  aim. 

The  young  man  leaving  college  feels  that  he  has  spent  a 
great  deal  of  time  in  preparation,  that  his  education  has  been 
expensive,  and  he  is  anxious  to  get  into  something  as  quickly 
as  possible  that  will  give  him  the  best  return  in  money.  And 
so,  unconsciously,  he  often  chooses  an  occupation  which  calls 
into  play  his  inferior  qualities,  which  develops  cunning, 


256  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

shrewdness,  deception,  and,  for  want  of  activity,  permits  his 
finer  instincts  to  shrivel  and  die. 

One  of  the  greatest  questions  a  human  being  is  ever  called 
upon  to  decide  is  the  choice  of  a  career.  It  affects  one's  entire 
character  and  destiny.  No  graduate  can  afford  to  choose  an 
occupation  merely  because  there  is  money  in  it,  and  he  must 
learn  that  to  look  upon  a  vocation  as  only  a  means  of  getting 
a  living  is  contemptible.  ,  He  must  learn  that  the  highest  suc- 
cess is  not  living-making,  money-making,  or  fame-making, 
but  man-making,  woman-making,  character-making.  Manhood 
and  womanhood  overtop  position,  wealth,  vocations  and  titles, 
and  are  grander  than  any  career. 

Don't  go  out  in  life  with  false  standards  of  success ;  but, 
whatever  you  decide  to  do,  choose  upward.  There  is  no  more 
pitiable  sight  in  the  world  than  that  of  a  promising  young 
graduate  selecting  a  career  simply  because  there  is  money  or 
possible  fame  in  it.  Don't  measure  everything  by  the  standard 
of  wealth  or  fame.  Don't  start  out  with  the  idea  that  poor  or 
obscure  men  or  women  are  necessarily  failures.  The  brother 
or  sister  or  mother  who  remained  at  home  to  earn  money  to 
send  you  to  college  that  you  might  have  a  career,  and  who 
may  never  be  heard  from,  while  your  name  is  blazoned  over 
the  earth,  may,  in  reality,  be  a  far  greater  success  than  you 
can  possibly  be  considered. 

If  you  look  upon  your  college  course  as  simply  a  means  of 
raising  your  commercial  value,  it  will  not  help  you  to   real 
success.     To  have  one's  mentality  stirred  by  the  passion  for 
expansion  ;  to  be  dragged  out  of  the  narrow  rut  of  ignorance  ;, 
to  feel  one's  life  grow  larger,  wider,  and  fuller — this  is  success. 

Whatever  you  do,  choose  an  occupation  which  has  expan- 
siveness  in  it,  which  will  keep  you  out  of  a  rut,  which  will 
develop  you  along  your  higher  manhood,  which  will  call  out 
your  highest  and  noblest  qualities.  In  other  words,  select  a 
vocation  which  will  make  you  more  of  a  man  or  woman, 
whether  there  is  money  in  it  or  not.  (778) 

The  Race  to  the  Plodder. 

Arago,  the  great  French  astronomer,  tells  us  that  he  became 
so  discouraged  in  the  study  of  mathematics  that  he  almost  re- 
solved to  abandon  his  effort.  He  was  just  about  ready  to  give 
up  when  he  happened  to  notice  something  printed  or  written 
under  the  paper  binding  of  nis  book.  He  unrolled  the  leaf 


PRACTICAL   TALKS.  257 

and  found  it  was  from  D'Alembert.  The  letter  said  :  "  Go  on, 
sir,  go  on  !  The  difficulties  you  meet  will  resolve  themselves 
as  you  advance.  Persevere,  and  the  light  will  dawn  and  shine 
with  increasing  clearness  upon  your  path."  This  striking 
passage  made  an  impression  upon  the  young  mathematician's 
mind  which  he  never  forgot.  It  was  a  perpetual  spur  to  his 
ambition,  and  came  to  him  just  in  the  nick  of  time.  He  resolved 
then  and  there  that  he  would  surmount  every  difficulty  ;  that 
he  would  become  a  great  mathematician  himself.  He  tightened 
his  grip,  and  urged  himself  on  until  fame  took  him  up  and  told 
the  world  the  story  of  one  of  the  greatest  astronomers  of  his 
time. 

Gen.  Wilson  told  the  writer  that  he  was  invited  to  dine  at 
the  White  House  only  ten  days  before  Lincoln's  assassination, 
and  in  the  evening  they  occupied  a  box  in  the  theater.  Mr 
Lincoln,  as  usual,  paid  very  little  attention  to  the  play,  as  he 
said  he  went  to  the  theater  to  get  rid  of  office  seekers  for  a  few 
hours.  Arousing  himself  on  this  occasion,  from  an  apparent 
nap,  he  slapped  Gen.  Wilson  on  the  shoulder,  and  said,  "  I 
want  to  tell  you  a  story  about  Grant  and  the  mule.  When 
Grant  was  a  youngster,  the  circus  came  to  his  town,  and  he 
went  to  the  tanner  and  asked  him  for  a  ticket.  The  hard- 
headed  tanner  refused  him,  so  Grant,  doing  the  next  best  thing 
(as  I  did  myself),  crawled  under  the  tent.  The  ring-master 
had  an  ugly  mule,  which  no  one  could  ride,  and  offered  a  prize 
of  a  dollar  to  any  boy  who  would  ride  the  animal  round  the 
ring,  without  being  thrown  off.  Quite  a  number  of  boys  tried 
it  without  success.  Finally  young  Grant  ventured  out  from 
behind  the  seats  where  he  was  viewing  the  show,  and  said  to 
the  ring-master,  '  I'd  like  to  try  that  mule.'  '  All  right,'  said 
the  ring-master,  and  Grant  got  on,  and  rode  nearly  round  the 
ring,  but  was  finally  thrown  over  the  animal's  head.  The  boy 
got  up,  threw  off  his  coat  and  said,  '  Let  me  try  that  again.' 
This  time  he  got  on  with  his  back  to  the  head  of  the  animal, 
and  clung  with  all  his  might  to  his  tail,  and  in  spite  of  all  the 
animal  could  do  held  on,  and  won  the  dollar."  Now,  said 
Lincoln,  "  Grant  will  do  the  same  at  Richmond.  He  will  hang 
on,  he  will  never  give  up.  He  will  try  again  and  again  till  he 
succeeds." 

Hanging  op  was  one  of  Grant's  strong  points.  He  did  not 
know  how  to  let  go.  He  would  keep  pegging  away,  no  matter 
what  the  obstacles,  until  he  triumphed. 

17  D.  B 


258          TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

The  race  is  to  the  plodder.  I  have  in  mind  several  very 
brilliant  graduates  of  last  year  and  years  before,  who  promised 
a  great  deal,  and  of  whom  friends  predicted  great  things,  but 
somehow  they  have  disappointed  all  expectations,  simply 
because  they  lack  sticking  qualities.  They  are  good  scholars, 
and  they  imagined  because  they  ranked  high  in  college,  that 
the}7  would  rank  high  in  life,  without  great  effort. 

But  they  lack  the  hanging-on  quality.  They  do  not  realize 
that,  in  practical  life,  the  race  is  to  the  plodder,  and  not 
necessarily  to  the  swift.  This  is  why  so  many  brilliant  class 
leaders  have  become  disappointments  to  their  friends.  The 
chain  is  no  stronger  than  its  weakest  link,  and  lack  of  perse- 
verance is  a  fatal  deficiency  which  nothing  else  will  supply. 

Perhaps  the  greatest  secret  of  success  in  life  is  due  to  those 
sticking  qualities.  Grip  conquers  the  world — the  faculty  of 
sticking  and  hanging  on  when  everybody  else  lets  go.  It  is 
the  five  minutes  more  which  wins  the  battle — the  dogged 
perseverance,  the  determination  of  never  giving  up  until  death 
or  victory  comes.  (687) 

Why  Many  Fail  to  Obtain  and  Hold  Good  Positions 

Many  young  men  fail  to  achieve  success,  because  they  lack 
the  power  or  inclination  to  do  hard  work.  The  head  of  one  of 
our  large  department  stores,  in  addressing  a  body  of  teachers, 
said:  '•  No  man  in  the  practical  world  of  to-day  can  hope  to 
get  on  if  he  shirks  his  work.  I  ask  you  to  use  all  your  power 
and  influence  to  instill  in  the  minds  of  those  you  teach  the 
truth  that  a  man  owes  work  to  the  world,  while  the  world  does 
not  owe  him  anything. 'V  An  expert  accountant  of  many  years' 
practice  said  :  "  The  best  man  I  ever  had  in  my  employ  was  a 
plodder."  The  writer,  in  his  experience  as  a  teacher,  coming 
into  contact  with  many  thousand  young  men,  has  rarely,  if 
ever,  found  a  student  who  did  not  possess  sufficient  ability  to 
make  a  successful  start  in  life  if  he  was  thoroughly  imbued 
with  the  precept — "  Keeping  everlastingly  at  it  brings  suc- 
cess." Let  every  young  man  keep  constantly  before  him  the 
maxim,  "If  I  would  succeed  I  must  work."  This  is  the  decree 
of  destiny  from  which  no  power  of  genius  can  absolve  us. 

Many  good  positions  are  obtained  through  well-written 
letters  of  application.  The  ability  to  write  a  letter  in  good 
straightforward  English,  in  a  rapid,  neat,  and  legible  style  of 


PRACTICAL    TALKS.  ?-Q 

penmanship,  free  from  errors  in  form,  punctuation,  and 
spelling,  is  an  accomplishment  well  worth  acquiring.  A  large 
portion  of  letters  of  application  show  on  their  lace  the  utter 
incompetency  of  the  writer,  and  find  their  way  to  the  waste 
basket.  A  young  man  of  good  ability  and  liberal  education 
applied  for  a  position  paying  one  thousand  dollars  a  year.  The 
letter  was  written  from  a  large  city,  and  did  not  contain  the 
street  and  number  of  the  applicant.  The  recipient  could  have 
obtained  the  full  address  from  another  source,  but  this 
omission  caused  the  application  to  be  considered  unfavorably. 
Another  applicant  lost  a  position  through  failure  to  remove 
his  hat  during  an  interview.  Another  wore  soiled  linen.  A 
few  cents  invested  in  a  laundry  bill  would  have  yielded  a  large 
return  in  that  instance.  It  is  not  indispensable  to  have  the 
assistance  of  influential  relatives  and  friends  in  order  to  obtain 
a  desirable  position.  Let  any  young  man  show  his  worth  in 
any  reputable  school  which  makes  a  specialty  of  training 
young  men  and  women  for  business  vocations,  and  he  will 
have  little  difficulty  in  obtaining  remunerative  employment. 
A  well-known  commercial  school  in  New  York  City  has 
standing  orders  from  several  large  financial  institutions  to 
send  them  any  especially  worthy  graduates. 

The  high-salaried  situations  are  the  ones  most  difficult  to 
fill.  Let  a  position  paying  from  five  to  ten  thousand  dollars 
per  annum  become  vacant,  and  it  is  usually  with  great  difficulty 
that  a  man  can  be  found  who  is  competent  to  do  the  required 
work  and  earn  the  salary. 

Above  .all  else,  the  young  man  who  would  succeed  must  be 
honest  and  temperate.  He  must  be  what  he  would  appear. 
There  is  a  premium  upon  those  who  possess  sterling  manhood, 
fixity  of  purpose,  and  a  determination  to  overcome  obstacles. 
Life's  highest  prizes  are  within  their  grasp.  (539) 

Young  Men  and  their  Chances. 

A  slogan  of  the  coming  campaign  will  be,  "  Give  the  young 
man  a  chance  !  "  I  think  that  his  chance  to-day  depends  more 
upon  his  relationship  to  some  rich  man  than  it  used  to,  and 
more  than  it  ought  to.  In  other  words,  as  wealth  is  concen- 
trated in  the  hands  of  a  few,  it  is  more  potent  to  help,  or  to 
harm,  those  who  are  beneath  its  immediate  influence 

The  young  man  of  to-day  is  powerless  to  avoid  this,  except 
as  he  may  secure  legislation  which  will  protect  the  God-made 


260  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

man  froin  injury  at  the  hands  of  the  man-made,  the  corpor- 
ation-made person.  In  the  meantime,  he  must  endure  it.  The 
American  youth,  when  protected  by  a  just  government,  has 
more  opportunities  than  the  youth  of  any  other  nation.  An 
industrial  despotism,  however,  would  prove  as  destructive  to 
the  highest  manhood  as  a  governmental  despotism.  American 
boys  aspire  to  something  higher  than  clerkships  under 
monopolies. 

Where  success  depends  upon  merit,  instead  of  favor,  as  it 
always  should,  intelligence,  industry,  and  honesty,  are  the 
three  most  necessary"  qualities.  A  man's  success  cannot  be 
measured  until  he  dies.  A  business  man  may  be  counted 
among  the  successful  one  day,  and  he  ma}7  be  a  bankrupt  the 
next.  A  man  in  public  life  may  be  popular  one  year,  and  may 
be  forgotten  the  next. 

In  public  life,  a  imn's  success  depends  more  upon  his  ideas, 
and  upon  his  honesty,  than  upon  his  ability  either  to  speak  or 
write.  If  his  ideas  agree  with  those  of  the  people,  he  will  be 
popular.  If,  in  addition  to  having  popular  ideas,  he  is  able  to 
present  them  well,  his  influence  is  increased.  A  popular  idea 
is  an  idea  which  the  majority  of  the  people  believe  to  be  con- 
ducive to  the  welfare  of  the  country.  In  regard  to  the  young 
man  in  politics,  there  were  never  better  opportunities  for  him 
whose  sympathies  are  broad  enough  to  take  in  all  the  people, 
and  who  has  the  ability  to  defend  his  convictions,  and  the 
courage  to  abide  by  them.  Such  a  man  should,  if  he  can, 
obtain  a  college  education,  though  it  is  not  indispensable.  No 
education,  however  limited,  can  be  a  disadvantage, — anywhere, 
— unless  it  makes  the  possessor  feel  himself  superior  to  those 
about  him,  and  leads  him  to  depend  upon  his  diploma,  instead 
of  depending  upon  his  usefulness  to  others  day  by  da}*. — 
William  Jennings  Bryan.  (4°3) 

Character  the  Test  of  a  Man. 

A  college  education  will  not  make  a  man  of  a  boy.  It  adds 
to  his  knowledge,  broadens  his  mind,  puts  him  on  a  higher 
plane ;  but  it  does  not  necessarily  elevate  his  character  or 
increase  his  store  of  moral  strength,  »vhich  are  the  vital  things. 
Every  man  must  work  out  his  own  salvation.  •  Aid  and  inspi- 
ration from  without  may  awaken  and  develop  the  latent  force 
and  fire  within  him;  but  if  the  smoldering  fire  is  there,  the 
young  man  need  not  go  to  college  to  have  it  brightened  into 


PRACTICAL    TALKS.  :6: 

flame.    If  he  reads  good  books,  listens  to  sermons  preachui  \< 
strong,  sincere  men,  associates  with  good  women,  and  ti.u'rt 
the  weak  and  evil  propensities  that  lurk  in  every  man,  tic- 
develop  his  higher  possibilities  and  grow  and  keep  on  gn  >\v- 
ing,  and  be  as  much  of  a  man  as  if  he  were  able  to  tack  to  his 
name  the  abbreviations  of  university  degrees,  -  perhaps  more 
of  a  man  :    for  a  college  education  tends  to  make  a  bov  feel 
superior  to  his  fellows  who  have  not  been  through  college.     It 
gives  him  an  artificial   prop.      It   tends  to   the   creation    of 
exclusiveness,  of  classes  and  of  a  proclivity  for  climbing  to 
success  on  the  backs  of  others.     The  trouble  with  the  colleges 
is  that  they  are  not  democratic  enough.    They  do  not  teach  the 
broad  humanities  enough,  nor  the  important  fact  that  character 
and  not  culture  is  the  real  test  of  a  man. 

Very  many  college  graduates  are  reluctant  to  take  off  their 
cuffs  and  go  to  work  with  their  hands.  They  see  a  wide 
breach  between  mental  and  physical  work,  and  are  disinclined 
to  bridge  it,  even  for  the  forwarding  of  a  high  ultimate  purpose 
The  young  man  who  feels  this  great  difference  between  the  two 
kinds  of  work  has  been  falsely  trained.  -  It  is  of  course  better 
tor  him  to  work  with  his  brain,  if  he  has  a  good  one,  but  the 
best  brain  workers  are  always  those  who  have  done,  and  never 
hesitate  to  do,  physical  work. 

If  I  were  a  young  man  and  decided  to  go  to  college,  I  should 
go  to  one  of  the  institutions  where  special  courses  are  provided 
from  the  beginning  to  tit  the  student  for  the  career  which  he 
proposes  to  follow.  I  should  make  every  effort  to  master  my 
subjects, — not  with  a  view,  however,  of  out-distancing  or 
triumphing  over  others  in  the  struggle  of  life,  but  through  a 
desire  to  do  useful  and  effective  work.  The  real  pleasure  and 
true  success  in  life  are  to  be  found  in  this  kind  of  achievement, 
and  not  in  winning  victories  over  fellow  workers.  It  is  merely 
the  application  of  the  golden  rule.  If  the  majority  applied  it 
to  everyday  affairs,  most  of  our  social  and  political  problems 
would  be  solved,  and  this  world  would  be  a  much  happier  one 
to  live  in.  Many  colleges  teach  selfishness, — that  the  way  to 
succeed  in  life  is"  to  defeat  others.  For  the  professions,  special 
preliminary  training  is  necessary,  but  for  business,  and, 
speaking  more  broadly,  for  successful  living  as  true  men  and 
women,  the  great  essentials  are  character_and  self-disci pljne^ 
in  which  the  college  graduates  Have  no  monopoly. — Samuel 
M.  Jones,  Mayor  of  Toledo.  (539) 


262  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

The  Triumphs  of  Enthusiasm. 

Men  and  women  who  have  accomplished  great  things  have 
invariably  been  dead  in  earnest.  Their  souls  have  been  fired 
with  a  mighty  purpose  which  has  buoyed  them  up  in  difficul- 
ties, and  carried  them  through  hardships  which,  without 
enthusiasm,  they  could  never  have  endured. 

Enthusiasm  multiplies  power.  It  is  that  mysterious  some- 
thing, that  indefinable  quality  that  forces  conviction,  that  makes 
mediocre  ability  more  successful  than  great  talent  without  it. 

It  was  enthusiasm  which  enabled  Cyrus  W.  Field,  after 
thirteen  years  of  defeat,  to  lay  the  Atlantic  cable.  It  was 
enthusiasm,  in  spite  of  carping  critics,  that  sped  Stephenson's 
locomotive  to  its  triumphant  goal.  It  was  enthusiasm  that 
sent  Fulton's  "  Folly  "  on  its  successful  way  up  the  Hudson, 
to  the  dismay  and  consternation  of  his  croaking  detractors. 
It  was  enthusiasm  that  led  Patrick  Henry  to  utter  those 
burning  words  of  patriotic  eloquence,  which  every  school  boy 
and  girl  delights  to  declaim.  It  was  enthusiasm  or  patriotic 
zeal  that  sent  Sherman  dashing  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley 
on  his  triumphant  march  to  the  sea. 

Enthusiasm  has  given  birth  to  every  invention,  every 
masterpiece  of  painting  or  sculpture,  every  great  poem,  novel, 
or  essay  that  holds  the  world  breathless  with  admiration.  It 
has  been  the  determining  factor  in  many  a  great  vjictory.. 

Nothing  is  more  contagious  than  enthusiasm. '  One  man 
fired  with  the  resolve  of  a  noble  purpose  will  sway  thousands, 
and  carry  them  along  with  him  by  the  force  of  this  power. 

This  quality  is  the  promise  of  strength  and  victory  even 
in  youth.  When  a  boy  comes  to  me  bubbling  over  with 
enthusiasm  and  earnestness,  I  believe  there  is  a  future  for 
him.  The  enthusiasm  of  youth  is  almost  irresistible.  It  casts 
all  shadows  behind.  It  sees  nothing  but  sunshine.  It  drives 
away  fear  and  limitation.  Nothing  can  take  its  place.  Ability 
cannot ;  education  cannot ;  industry  cannot. 

Enthusiasm,  like  beaut}',  is  a  divine  gift,  and  yet  it  can  be 
cultivated.  To  the  admonition  of  the  wise  man,  then,  "  With 
all  thy  getting,  get  understanding,"  I  would  add  this  other, 
with  all  thy  getting,  get  enthusiasm.  It  is  the  salt  of  life,  the 
transmuting  power  that  renews  and  enriches  everything  it 
touches.  It  gives  new  heart  and  courage  to  the  timid,  new 
hope  to  the  disheartened,  and  to  the  already  strong  and 
courageous  increased  power  for  good.  (387) 


PRACTICAL    TALKS.  263 

Don't  Wait  for  your  Opportunity. 

Make  it,  as  Lincoln  made  his  in  the  log  cabin  in  the  wilder- 
ness. Make  it,  as  Henry  Wilson  made  his  during  hi? 
evenings  on  a  farm,  when  he  read  a  thousand  volumes  while 
other  boys  of  the  neighborhood  wasted  their  evenings. 
Make  it  as  the  shepherd  boy  Ferguson  made  his  when  he 
calculated  the  distance  of  the  stars  with  a  handful  of  beads  on 
a  string.  Make  it,  as  George  Stephenson  made  his  when  he 
mastered  the  rules  of  mathematics  with  a  bit  of  chalk  on  the 
sides  of  the  coal  wagons  in  the  mines.  Make  it,  as  Douglass 
made  his  when  he  learned  to  read  from  scraps  of  paper  and 
posters.  Make  it,  as  Napoleon  made  his  in  a  hundred  im- 
portant situations.  Make  it,  as  the  deaf  and  blind  Helen 
Keller  is  making  hers.  Make  it,  as  every  man  must  who 
would  accomplish  anything  worth  the  effort.  Golden  oppor- 
tunities are  nothing  to  laziness,  and  the  greatest  advantage 
will  make  you  ridiculous  if  you  are  not  prepared  for  it.  (174) 

Learn  to  Expect  a  Great  Deal  of  Life. 

An  infinite  benefit  comes  from  forming  the  habit  of  expecting 
the  best  of  life  for  oneself.  Do  not  go  about  with  an  expression 
of  discontent  on  your  face,  giving  everybody  the  impression 
that  the  good  things  of  this  world  were  intended  for  some  cne 
else.  Practise  the  art  of  stretching  your  mind  over  great 
expectations.  In  this  way  you  will  broaden  your  position.  If 
you  learn  the  art  of  expecting  great  things  for  and  from  your- 
self, you  are  more  likely  to  prepare  yourself  for  great  things. 
A  sort  of  discontent  has  led  to  all  the  great  things  which  have 
happened  from  the  time  of  the  earliest  Hottentots  to  that  of  the 
Lincolns  and  the  Gladstones. 

No  one  can  accomplish  anything  great  in  this  world  who  is 
contented  with  little,  who  is  confident  that  he  was  made  for 
little  things,  or  is  satisfied  with  what  happens  to  come  in  his 
way. 

A  man  who  expects  great  things  of  himself  is  constantly 
trying  to  open  a  little  wider  the  doors  of  his  narrow  life,  to 
extend  his  limited  knowledge,  to  reach  a  little  higher,  to  get  a 
little  farther  on  than  those  around  him.  He  has  enough  of  the 
divine  disposition  within  him  to  spur  him  on  to  nobler 
endeavors.  He  looks  to  get  the  best  of  the  things  offered 
to  him.  (228) 


264  TWENTIETH    CEXTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 


SPELLING. 

Incorrect  spelling  is  one  of  the  worst  faults  of  a  steno- 
grapher. With  dictionaries*  as  cheap  and  accessible  as  they 
are,  there  is  no  excuse  for  one  who  habitually  mis-spells. 
Many  stenographers  fail  to  obtain  a  position  because  they 
mis-spell  their  letters  of  application,  and  the  unfortunate  fact 
regarding  it  is  that,  generally,  they  do  not  know  that  it  was 
their  mis-spelling  that  disqualified  them.  Look  up  every 
word  of  a  letter  rather  than  send  it  out  with  one  word 
mis-spelt.  A  habit  of  using  the  dictionary  will  correct  the 
very  worst  of  spellers.  This  art  is  best  learned  from  spelling- 
books  and  dictionaries,  and  from  observation  in  reading. 

Rules  for  Spelling. 

Monosyllables. — i.  The  final  letter  of  a  monosyllable 
ending  with  f,  1,  or  s,  preceded  by  a  single  vowel,  is  doubled  ; 
as,  muff,  bill,  moss. 

2.  The  final  letter  of  a  monosyllable  ending  with  any  other 
consonant  than  f,  1,  or  s,  is  not  doubled  ;  as,  bar,  rag,  rod. 

Exceptions. — Clef,  if,  of;  nil,  sol  ;  as,  gas,  has,  was,  yes, 
his,  is,  this,  us,  pus,  thus  ;  ebb  ;  add  ;  egg ;  inn,  bunn  ;  burr, 
err  ;  butt ;  buzz,  fuzz 

Doubling  the  Final  Consonant. —  i.  The  final  consonant 
of  a  monosyllable,  or  of  a  word  accented  on  the  last  syllable, 
ending  with  a  single  consonant  preceded  by  a  single  vowel,  is 
doubled  on  receiving  a  suffix  beginning  with  a  vowel ;  as,  hot, 
hotter  ;  occur,  occurring  :  transfer,  transferring. 

2.  The  final  consonant  is  not  doubled  if  it  is  not  preceded 
by  a  single  vowel,  if  it  is  preceded  by  one  or  more  consonants, 
or  if  the  accent  is  not  on  the  last  syllable ;  as,  toil,  toiling; 
sound,  sounded;  differ,  different. 

Final  x  is  never  doubled,  being  equivalent  to  the  two  con- 
sonants, ks  or  qz  ;  as,  fix,  fixed ;  tax,  taxing. 

*  "  Pitman's  Pocket  Dictionary  of  the  English  Language."  Thoroughly 
revised.  Contains  many  new  features.  Size,  5  by  3  in.  Leather,  gilt 
edges.  Price  75C. 


APPENDIX. 

Final  E. —  i.   In  words  ending  with  silent  e.  the  e  i- 
ally  omitted  on  receiving  a  suffix  beginning  with  a  vowel  ; 
as,  move,  movable ;  love,  loved  ;  able,  abler. 

In  words  ending  with  ce  or  ge,  c  is  retained  before  termina- 
tions beginning  with  a,  o,  or  u,  in  order  to  preserve  the  soft 
sounds  of  c  and  g;  as,  trace,  traceable  ;  courage,  couragmiif. 

E  is  retained  in  dye,  singe,  springe,  swinge,  tinge,  hoc, 
shoe,  and  toe,  before  the  termination  ing;  as,  dye,  dyeing; 
shoe,  shoeing. 

In  words  ending  with  ie  the  c  is  omitted  and  the  i  is 
changed  into  y  before  the  termination  ing  in  order  to  prevent 
the  doubling  of  i ;  as,  tie,  lying:  belie,  belying. 

2.  In  words  ending  with  silent  e,  the  c  is  generally  retained 
on  receiving  a  suffix  beginning  with  a  consonant ;  as,  dire, 
direful ;  care,  careless. 

The  following  words  are  exceptions :  Abridgment,  ac- 
knoivlcdgment,  argument,  judgment,  duly,  truly,  awful,  nursling, 
cci^dom,  wholly. 

Words  ending  with  y.— i.  In  words  ending  with  y, 
preceded  by  a  consonant,  y  is  changed  into  i  on  receiving 
one  or  more  suffixed  letters  or  syllables  ;  as,  try,  tries  ;  lively, 
liveliest. 

Y  is  not  changed  into  i  before  the  termination  ing  ;  as,  dry, 
drying ;  rely,  relying. 

2.  In  words  ending  with  y  preceded  by  a  vowel,  y  is 
retained  on  receiving  one  or  more  suffixed  letters  or 
syllables  ;  as.  money,  moneys ;  joy,  joyful;  pay,  payable. 

Paid  from  pay;  laid  from  lay;  said,  and  aaith  from  say ; 
slam  from  slay ;  and  daily  from  day;  are  exceptions. 

Words  ending  with  a  Double  Letter— In  words  ending 
with  any  double  letter  except  1,  the  double  letter  is  retained 
on  receiving  a  suffix  which  does  not  commence  with  the  same 
letter ;  as,  puff,  puffing;  careless,  carelessly. 

Compounds. — In  compound  words,  the  simple  words  from 
which  they  are  formed  are  generally  spelled  in  the  same  manner 
as  when  alone  ;  as,  scoop-net,  blue-eyed,  pay-master. 

In  words  ending  with  11,  one  1  is  often  dropped  when 
forming  part  of  a  compound,  or  derivative  word,  except  on 
icceiving  a  suffix  beginning  with  a  vowel;  as,  all,  also,- 
till,  until ;  roll,  rolling. 


266  TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 

PUNCTUATION. 

Punctuation  is  necessary  to  mark  the  parts  and  sections 
into  which  sentences  and  paragraphs  are  divided,  so  that  the 
exact  meaning  may  be  quite  clear.  The  real  use  of  punctua- 
tion is  to  cut  off  and  separate  single  words,  or  groups  of 
words,  from  one  another. 

A  correct  method  of  punctuation  is  often  the  means  of 
preventing  ambiguity,  and  of  marking  the  exact  sense  in 
which  the  words  of  a  sentence  are  to  be  understood. 
Incorrect  punctuation  sometimes  renders  a  sentence  com- 
plete nonsense. 

The  practice  of  modern  business  writers  is  to  avoid  the  too 
frequent  use  of  punctuation.  The  relation  of  the  different 
parts  of  a  sentence  to  each  other,  or  of  one  sentence  to 
another,  should  be  made  as  clear  as  possible  by  a  proper 
arrangement  of  the  words  ;  because  punctuation  tends  to 
break  the  continuity  of  the  written  language. 

The  chief  stops  used  in  commercial  correspondence  are  : — 

1,  The  comma,  ,  5.  The  point  of  interrogation,  ? 

2,  The  semicolon,  ;        6.  The  dash,  - 

3,  The  colon,  :  7.  The  parenthesis,  (  ) 

4,  The  period,  .  8.  Brackets,  [  ] 

The  Comma  (,). 

The  comma  denotes  the  shortest  pause  in  commercial 
correspondence. 

i.  A  comma  is  used  to  separate  the  short  parts  of 
compound  sentences,  when  they  are  connected  by  con- 
junctions. 

There  zvas  a  sudden  fall  in  the  price  of  these  securities 
yesterday,  and  buyers  were,  consequently,  very  cautions. 

2  A  comma  is  used  to  separate  the  clauses  of  complex 
sentences,  except  where  the  connection  is  very  close,  or 
where  the  qualifying  clause  or  clauses  are  very  short. 

The  buyers  were  instructed  to  withhold  their  orders,  prices 
being  so  high. 

3.  An  inverted  or  transposed  clause  must  be  divided  by 
commas  from  the  rest  of  the  sentence. 

When  you  have  completed  the  work,  you  may  send  in  your  bill. 


APPENDIX.  267 

4.  Clauses,  phrases,  and  words  which   occur  between 
other  parts   of  a   sentence  and  interrupt  the  connection 
must  be  separated  by  commas. 

The  prices  at  which  the  goods  were  supplied,  as  <\r  have 
already  remarked,  were  for  prompt  cash. 

You  may,  generally  speaking,  depend  upon  receiving  g<x,ds 
ordered  within  two  days  of  dale  of  order. 

5.  Similar  expressions  in  series  must  be  separated  b\ 
commas. 

He  has  been  a  good  servant  here,  patient,  sober,  lionesl,  and 
industrious. 

6.  A   complex   subject   of   several    parts,    which    require 
commas  between  them,  or  one  ending  with  a  verb,  must  be 
separated  from  its  predicate  by  a  comma. 

Ranges  and  groups  of  lofty  mountains,  deep  valleys,  through 
which  run  rapid  streams,  and  number/ess  lakes,  set  in  the  midst 
of  grand  old  forests,  are  tlie  characteristics  of  this  primitive 
region. 

Words  taken  in  pairs  have  a  comma  after  each  pair 
The  good  and  bad  qualities,  this  years  crop  and  last  years 

crop,  the  clean  and  the  dusty,    are  all  mixed  together  in   the 

sample  before  us. 

7.  When  a  verb  is  omitted  to  avoid  repetition,  a  comma 
takes  its  place. 

Reading  makes  a  full  man ;  conference,  a  ready  man ,  and 
writing,  an  exact  man. 

8.  Words  or  clauses  denoting  opposition  of  meaning, 
or  contrast,  must  be  separated  by  commas. 

Did  he  act  wisely,  or  unwisely  ? 

9.  An  appositional    phrase  must  be  set  off  by  commas 
from  the  word  or  words  which  it  qualifies. 

Johnjamieson,  the  captain  of  the  ship,  will  wait  on  you  for 
instructions. 

10.  The  following  are  also  set  off  by  commas  : — 
a.  Words  or  phrases  used  independently. 

My  dear  sir,  you  are  decidedly  mistaken. 
To  say  the  least,  it  was  unfair. 


268          TWENTIETH   CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK 

b.  Absolute  phrases. 

Your  plans  failing,  there  is  nothing  more  to  be  done. 

c.  An  equivalent  word  or  expression  introduced  by  or. 
Double  entry  book-keeping,  or  the  art  of  recording  business 

transactions  in  a  systematic  manner,  was  first  employed  by  the 
Venetians. 

The  Semicolon  (,). 

1.  A  semicolon  must  be  placed  between  the  parts  of  a 
compound  sentence,  especially  when  the  conjunctions  are 
omitted. 

Our  confidence  in  the  success  of  this  undertaking  is  not  the 
idle  dream  of  mere  enthusiasts;  it  is  founded  on  reason  and 
based  upon  science. 

2.  The  semicolon  is  used  in  a  complex  sentence  to 
separate  successive  clauses  having  a  common  dependence 
upon  one  or  more  principal  clauses. 

If  we  have  stated  our  claim  correctly  ;  if  we  have  reasoned  it 
out  clearly  ;  if  we  have  proved  our  right  to  the  remuneration  we 
request ;  how  canyon  withhold  your  remittance? 

3.  A   semicolon   must    be    placed    before    as,    when   it   is 
followed  by  an  illustration. 

When  ordering  these  goods,  kindly  quote  the  descriptions 
printed  in  our  catalogue,  sent  herewith ;  as,  Printed  Long 
Cloth,  quality,  Ex.  G. 

4.  Antithetical  clauses  are  separated  by  a  semicolon. 
Having  written  at  so  great  a  length,  I  shall  not  trespass 

much  longer  upon  your  patience  ;  but,  before  concluding,  I  may 
be  permitted  to  add  another  observation. 

The  Colon  (:). 

A  colon  must  be  placed  at  the  end  of  the  expressions, 
asfolloivs,  tlie  following,  thus, 

these,  these  words, 

or  of  parts  containing  these  or  their  equivalents,  when  they 
introduce  a  series  of  particulars  or  a  direct  quotation. 

The  following  is  an  example  of  the  use  of  a  colon  and  a 
dash  in  introducing  a  direct  quotation  : — 


APPENDIX.  uf.g 

With  reference  to  our  higher  quotation*  for  rubber,  ,v///<// 
you  seem  to  think  unreasonable,  we  beg  to  drais  voitr  attention 
'to  the  following  extract  from  the  market  report  of  the  .Y.  Y.  >'//// 
of  the  i  oth  inst. : — 

"  The  great  demand  for  rubber  has  caused  a  rise  in  the 
market  price  of  from  ten  to  fifteen  per  cent." 

The  colon  is  less  used  than  formerly,  its  place  being  taken 
by  the  period  or  the  semicolon. 

The  Period  (.). 

1.  A  period  must  be  placed  at  the  end  of  every  sentence  ; 
as 

We  expect  to  forward  your  order  lo-mornw. 

2.  A  period  must  be  placed  at  the  end  of  every  abbrevia- 
tion, and  after  single  letters  standing  for  a  full  word. 

When  the  abbreviated  word  occurs  at  the  end  of  a  sentence, 
one  period  is  sufficient  to  denote  both  the  abbreviation  and 
the  end  of  the  sentence ;  as 

We  have  charged  interest  at  the  rate  of  5  per  cent. 

A  period  must  be  placed  at  the  end  of  headings,  titles,  and 
other  expressions  used  alone  and  equivalent  to  abbreviated 
sentences;  as 

Jones  and  Sons. 

The  period  is  also  used  after  figures  and  letters  employed  as 
figures,  when  successive  facts  or  particulars  are  stated  in  order, 
such  as  the  figures  employed  in  numbering  paragraphs. 

The  Point  of  Interrogation  (?). 

A  point  of  interrogation  must  be  placed  at  the  end  of  every 
sentence  which  contains  a  direct  question ;  as 

What  are  your  terms  and  prices  for  your  Text-book  of 
Phonography  ? 

When  several  questions  are  included  in  a  single  sentence, 
and  the  meaning  is  not  complete  until  the  last  one  is  put,  only 
one  point  of  interrogation  is'used  ;  as 

Shall  we  remit  the  amount  due  to  you  by  check,  or  would  you 
prefer  to  draw  on  us  ? 


-   --  -  -  -•--   r-      =  ;-s:\-vc.i    -""_  T-  :\ 


Tbe  dash  is  used  to  deno^  a  change  in  die  construction  or 
meammgof  a  .UHH.HU.,  an  interruption.,  a  hesatatkxi,  or  words 
and  cbmses  used  ttretttibetkally. 


*~t*fA*g**~&tfir**s*f 

Amw  <mw  4M%wtyv JUf  for  < 


Parenthesis  Marks. 

Paremthrsis  •arics  are  ased  to  enclose  an  explanatory  word, 
phrase,  or  clause  in  such  a  way  as  not  to  interrupt  the  con- 
of  the  parts  of  the  sentence, 
r/nf  mil inn*  dbrf^r SET 


dy  were;  dashes  take  their  pi 


are  not  employed  so  much  as   they 


BiaLkelS  £  ]  are  used  much  in  the  same  manner  as 

parenthesis  marks. 

The  Apostrophe  ('  )is  used  to  denote  die  omission  of  a 
letter  or  of  letters;  as,  iX  for  I  wffl  ;  e'er*  for  ever;  but  these 
•uu»  should  be  very  ^puuiugl^  used  in  commercial  corres- 
pondence, and  their  employment  in  telegrams  is  attended  with 
much  risk.  The  apostrophe  is  also  used  to  denote  the  pos- 
sessive case  of  nouns,  to  show  that  certain  wuds  are  used  as 
verbs,  and,  with  s,  to  form  the  plural  of  leltas,  Gguies,  or 
^»g"g^  liieii  as  nffmri ;  as,  *  Egypt's  uucxn  * ;  "  He  makes  his 
f sand  fs  alike.* 

The  Quotation  Mads  (•  *)  are  used  to  enclose  the  exact 
words  quoted  from  another  speaker  or  writer.  A  quotation 

"        ~     ^_     2  -      *  .1 1  ~.  _  f  *    2  ~    t    .  I     "  *  "T  2.     I         r-    r_  ^ " .  7    ~.\  ~-~  r,  •"• 

T¥e  Hyphem  (-)  is  used  to  unite  the  words  which  constitute 

I..r    .  1-  .-  1     I        -_      -"  _     "-"        '-     .-".    .  Til"  -rl    .".-   ."-    T  -j  " .V  1~  --". 

compouod ;  as  path-finder ;  ox-eyed.  It  is  also  osed  to  unite 
the  wuidj>  whiiJi  may  be  temporarily  tafcm  as  a  single* 
as,  "Oar  ever-to-be-famented  friend.*' 


hyuheu  is  also  emptojed  to  mark  die  division  of  a 
word  into  its  syllables ;  as,  In-com-pre-hen-s^bil-i-ty. 

[arks  ( — )  are  used  to  denote  the  omission 


letters,  as  S -r  D -w  for  Senator  Depew. 


APPENDIX. 

The  Caret  ( ' )  is  used  in  manusc 
word  omitted  in  its  proper  place  is  to  be  t  j 
the  margin. 

The  Brace  (—*— )  is  used  to  connect  tw 
words  or  expressions  with  one  common  terir 

The  Ditto,  or  Double  Comma  (,. ), 

'•epeating  the  word  or  the  words  above  it. 

The  Cedilla  is  a  mark  placed  under  the 
it  is  to  be  sounded  soft  like  s,  as  facade. 

The  Tilde  is  a  mark  placed  over  the  letter 
that  the  following  vowel  sound  is  to  be  preceded  by  thrr.  or'  y  ; 
as  canon. 

The  Vowel  Marks  are  the  following  :- 

The  Diaeresis  (" ),  placed  over  the  latter  of  two 
denote  that  they  are  separate  ;  as,  aerial. 

The  Macron  ( ~),  placed  over  a  vowel  to  denote  that  it  has 
a  long  sound ;  as  over. 

The  Breve  ("),  placed  over  a  vowel  to  denote  that  it  has  a 
short  sound;  as,  cover. 

CAPITAL    LETTERS. 

The  following  words  should  begin  with  Capital  Letters  :  — 

1.  The  first  word  of  even,-  sentence  , 

2.  The  first  word  of  every  Direct  Quotation  ; 

3.  The  first   word  of  an    Independent   Sentence  after  an 

Interrogation  or  an  Exclamation. 

4.  Proper  Names  and  Adjectives  derived  from  them  ;  a.<v. 

The  People  of  America  ;         The  American  people ; 
Niagara  Falls  ;  The  White  House  ; 

5.  The  titles  of  Persons,  Offices,  and  Books  ;  as. 

His  Honor,  the  Mayor  of  New  York  ; 

6.  The  names  of  Days  and  Months  ;  as, 

He  came  last  Monday  ; 
The  bleak  wind  of  March  : 

7.  Any  word  regarded  as  of  special  importance  5 

8.  The  Pronoun  I  and  the  Interjection  O ;  as. 

"  O,  that  I  had  the  wings  of  a  dove  •" 

9.  Every  line  of  poetry- 


272 


TWENTIETH    CENTURY    BUSINESS    DICTATION    BOOK. 


Ala. 

Alabama      Mont. 

Alaska 

Alaska  Ter.      Nebr.  .  . 

Ariz. 

Arizona  Ter.   !   Nev. 

Ark.   .. 

Arkansas      N.  H. 

Cal. 

.  .    California      TV.  /. 

Colo.   .  . 

Colorado      N.  Mcx. 

Conn. 

Connecticut      N.  V. 

Del.     .  . 

Delaware      N.  C.  .  . 

D.  C. 

District  of  Columbia 

N.  Dak. 

Fla.     .  . 

.  .  Florida 

Ohio  .. 

Ga. 

....••       .  .       Georgia 

Okla.  T. 

Idaho  .  . 

.  .     Idaho      Oregon 

111. 

Illinois      Pa. 

Ind    .. 

.  .  Indiana      R.  1. 

Ind.  T. 

Indian  Ter. 

S.  C. 

Iowa  .  . 

Iowa 

S.  Dak. 

Kans. 

Kansas 

Tenn. 

Ky.     .. 

Kentucky 

Tex.    .  . 

La. 

.  .    Louisiana 

Utah 

Me.     .. 

.  .     Maine 

Vt.      .. 

Md, 

.  .    Maryland 

Va. 

Mass.  .  . 

.  .  Massachusetts 

Wash. 

Mich. 

.  .     Michigan 

W.  Va. 

Minn. 

Minnesota 

Wis.  .. 

Miss. 

Mississippi 

IVyo. 

Mo,     ., 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New  Hampshire 

New  Jersey 

New  Mexico  Ter. 

. .  New  York 

North  Carolina 

North  Dakota 

. .       Ohio 

Oklahoma  Ter. 

.  .  Oregon 

Pennsylvania 

. .  Rhode  Island 

South  Carolina 

. .  South  Dakota 

.  .  Tennessee 

. .    Texas 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington 

West  Virginia 

Wisconsin 

. .    Wyoming 


PARTIAL     LIST     OF 

ISAAC   PITMAN  &   SONS' 
SHORTHAND 

PUBLICATIONS   &   SUPPLIES; 

FOREIGN    LANGUAGE    TEXT-BOOKS,    ETC. 


*»*  ^4  Complete  Catalogue  of  24  pages  sent  on  request. 


DR.    WM.    T.    HARRIS, 

NATIONAL  COMMISSIONER  OF  EDUCATION,  says  of  the 

ISAAC    PITMAN    SHORTHAND: 

"  It  will  be  seen,  in  the  chapter  giving-  the  statistics  of  instruction  in 
Shorthand  in  the  United  States,  that  the  system  mainly  followed  is  that 
of  ISAAC  PITMAN.  Few  inventors  within  'he  last  two  hundred  years 
have  been  so  happy  as  he  in  discovering  devices  that  have  proved  useful 
in  practice,  and  at  the  same  time  called  forth  universal  admiration  for 
their  theoretic  perfection." — Extract  from  "  Circular  of  Information 
No.  l  (Washington,  D.C.),  1893." 


NEW  YORK: 

ISAAC    PITMAN    &    SONS,    PUBLISHERS, 

THE   PHONOGRAPHIC    DEPOT, 

3 1    UNION    SQUARE. 

(N.  W.  Cor.  i6th  street  and  Broadway  J 
2778 


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any  country  in  the  Universal  Postal  Union. 

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demand  the  editions  published  by  and  bearing  the  im- 
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Booksellers  supplied  at  a  liberal  discount. 


PHONOGRAPHIC   WORKS 

BY    ISAAC     PITMAN. 

( The  Inventor  of  Phonography), 


ONE  ADVANTAGE  in  taking  up  the  Isaac  Pitman  system  is,  that 
the  text-books  are  issued  in  such  a  variety  of  forms  and  bindings, 
that  intending  students,  and  others,  are  enabled  to  select  which  beet 
suits  their  fancy  and  pocket. 

A  complete  exposition  of  the  system,  in  one  handy-sized  volume,  will 
be  found  in  "  Isaac  Pitman's  Shorthand  Instructor,"  which  presents 
the  entire  system  in  a  clear  and  concise  manner,  from  the  first  prin- 
ciples to  the  reporting  style.  This  work  is  specially  recommended  to 
those  who  wish  to  take  up  the  study  of  Phonography  at  home,  or  to 
prepare  for  attending  some  business  college  or  school. 

*»*  Isaac  Pitman  and  Sons  will  be  pleased  to  recommend  competent 
shorthand  teachers,  and  schools,  to  those  in  need  of  same.  All  advice  is 
freely  given,  and  correspondence  solicited. 


ISAAC  PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  INSTRUCTOR.  Twentieth  C«n- 
tury  Edition.  A  Complete  Exposition  of  Isaac  Pitman's  System  of 
Phonography.  Containing  instruction  for  both  beginners  and 
advanced  students,  with  copious  lists  of  Phrases  and  Exercises, 
Business  Letters,  etc.  The  general  plan  of  the  "  Instructor  "  makes 
it  equally  acceptable  for  self-tuition  and  for  class-use.  Contains 
nearly  20,000  actual  shorthand  cuts — more  than  double  the  number  in 
any  similar  work.  Adopted  by  the  Public  Schools  of  New  York, 
Brooklyn,  etc.,  etc.  Handsomely  bound  in  red  cloth,  embossed  in 
gold,  278  pages.  $1.50 

•«*  The  "Shorthand  Instructor"  is  also  published  in  two  parts,  as 

follows : — 

Complete  Amanuensis  Course.    [Parti.]    144  pages,  stiff  boards 
and  cloth  back,  7sc.  ;  cloth,  gilt  lettering,  $1.00. 

The  New  Phonographic  Reporter.  (Part  2.]  134  pages,  stiff  boards 

and  cloth  back,  750. ;  cloth,  gilt  lettering.  $1.00. 

*  Specially  adapted  for  High  Schools. 

TESTIMONIAL. 

"Entirely  unsolicited  I  desire  to  express  my  appreciation  of  your  text- 
oook  entitled  '  Isaac  Pitman's  Instructor.'  It  is  the  most  practical  and 
best  arranged  work  on  the  subject  that  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  study 
or  examine.  I  would  especially  commend  your  work  to  teachers  who 
are  looking  for  a  text-book  where  the  lessons  are  logically  arranged  for 
presentation  to  the  student."— GEORGE  C.  RAYNOR,  Teacher  of  Isaac 
Pitman  Shorthand.  Erasmus  Hall  High  School,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

KEY  to  "  Isaac  Pitman's  Shorthand  Instructor.  4°c. ;  cloth,  soc. 
PHONOGRAPHIC  LESSON  CARDS  :  A  course  of  Shorthand  Lessons 

based  on  "  The  Instructor."  48  cards  in  box.  $1.00 

The  PHONOGRAPHIC  TEACHER ;  a  first  book  in  Shorthand.  Second 

Million.  **• 

KEY  to  the  "  Phonographic  Teacher."  **• 

PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  CLASS  BOOK.  With  Exercises  and  Key 

for  Use  in  Classes.  ac* 

PROGRESSIVE  STUDIES  in  PHONOGRAPHY;  for  the  use  of  set* 

taught  students.  4»c. ;  cloth,  joe. 


The  "FONO"  HEADLINE  SHORTHAND  COPY  BOOKS.  Books 
A,  B,  and  C,  containing  graduated  copies,  to  be  written  in  Shorthand. 

The  PHONOGRAPHIC  EXERCISE  BOOK ;  made  of  the  bert  qurfty 

paper,  in  single  or  double  lines,  as  ordered.  zoc.  ;  post-paid,  I2C. 

EXERCISES  in  PHONOGRAPHY;  a  series  of  graduated  sentence 

exercises  on  the  "  Teacher."  tc, 

PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  GRADUS.  A  series  of  Writing  Exercises 

for  use  with  the  "  Instructor."  6c. 

PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  READING  LESSONS,  No.  i,  for  use  with  the 

"  Teacher,"  "  Manual,"  or  "  Instructor."  48  pages.  2oc. 

KEY  to  PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  READING  LESSONS,  No.  i,  in 

ordinary  type.  6c. 

PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  READING  LESSONS,  No.  2,  for  use  with  the 

"  Instructor  "  Part  I.,  and  furnishing  the  learner  with  reading  practice 

and  word-building.  250 

KEY  to  PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  READING  LESSONS,  No.  2,  in 

ordinary  type.  6c. 

A  COMPEND  Of  PHONOGRAPHY  containing  the  Alphabet,  etc.  Sc. 
PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  MANUAL ;  containing  instruction  in  the 

Corresponding  Style.  500.  ;  cloth,  6oc. 

"  TEACHER  "  and  "  MANUAL  "  in  one  vol. ,  roan,  gilt  edges.  900. 

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Review  Questions.  zoc. 

CARD  KEY  to  Exercises  in  the  "  Manual  Of  Phonography,"  printed 

on  24  Cards,  in  Envelope.  For  use  in  Class.  aoc. 

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The  ACQUISITION  of  SPEED  in  PHONOGRAPHY.    Type.          ioc. 

The  GRAMMALOGUES  and  CONTRACTIONS  of  Pitman's  "  Phono- 
graphic Reporter  "  ;  for  use  in  Classes.  5C. 

PITMAN'S  SHORTHAND  DICTIONARY,  containing  the  Shorthand 
forms  for  over  61,000  Words  and  Proper  Names.  Eighth  edition. 
Revised  to  date.  312  pages,  cloth,  gilt  binding.  $1.50.  "Library 
Edition,"  roan,  gilt,  colored  edges.  $i-7S 

"  It  contains  shorthand  forms,  with  Key_,  for  55,000  words  and  5,000 
roper  names.  It  also  includes  all  the  leading  terms  in  science,  art,  and 
iterature.  It  is  excellently  arranged  and  printed,  and  is  a  very  handsome 

volume.     It  must  be  of  the  greatest  service  to  all  Pitman  writers." — 

Penman's  Art  Journal  (N.Y.). 

ABRIDGED  SHORTHAND  DICTIONARY ;  contains  over  22,000  words, 
and  a  complete  list  of  Grammalogues  and  Contractions.  A  small, 
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leather,  round  corners,  with  gilt  edges.  224  pages.  850. 

The  PHONOGRAPHIC  PHRASE  BOOK.  Containing  above  two 
thousand  useful  phrases  in  Phonography,  with  a  Key  and  Exercises. 

4oc.  ;  cloth,  5oc. 

The  REPORTER'S  ASSISTANT.  A  Key  to  the  Reading  of  the 
Reporting  Style.  80  pages.  4oc. ;  cloth,  5oc. 

TECHNICAL  REPORTING,  Phonographic  Abbreviations  for  words  and 
phrases  commonly  met  with  in  reporting  Legal,  Medical,  Scientific, and 
other  Technical  subjects,  with  type  Key.  60  pages.  5oc.  ;  cloth,  6oc. 

PITMAN'S  20th  CENTURY  BUSINESS  DICTATION  BOOK  and 
LEGAL  FORMS.  In  ordinary  type.  Third  edition.  Containing  an 
up-to-date  collection  of  genuine  letters  which  have  been  used  in  the 
transaction  of  actual  work  covering  fifty  distinct  lines  of  business. 


P.1 
h 


Legal  Forms,  and  a  judicious  selection  of  practice-matter  tor  general 
dictation.  Also  chapters  on  Spelling,  Punctuation,  Capitalization, 
and  Short  Practical  Talks  with  the  Amanuensis.  This  work  is 
specially  compiled  for  the  teacher,  the  beginner,  and  the  advanced 
student,  and  all  progressive  schools  without  reference  to  the  system 
of  shorthand  taught.  The  most  complete  dictation  course  published. 
Pages,  272  ;  size,  s^by  7^  in.  Stiff  boards,  price  7sc.  ;  cl.,  gilt,  $1.00. 

Also  published  in  two  parts,  as  follows  : — 

Part  1.— Business  Dictation,  containing//}^  distinct  lines  of  business 
168  pp.,  stiff  board  cover  and  cloth  back.  ^oc. 

Fart  2.— Legal  Forms  and  Miscellaneous  Selections,  etc.    n  2  pp  , 

stiff  board  cover  and  cloth  back.  4oc. 

BUSINESS  CORRESPONDENCE  in  SHORTHAND,  Nos.  i.  2  and  3. 
Containing  actual  business  letters  as  dictated  to  stenographers  in 
American  business  offices,  with  Key.  40  pages  earh.  aec.  each. 

BUSINESS  CORRESPONDENCE  in 'SHORTHAND,  Nos.  i  and  2  in 
one  volume.  Handsome  cloth,  gilt  lettering  back  and  side.  Cloth,  6oc. 

SHORTHAND  in  the  OFFICE;  a  Complete  Shorthand  Clerk's 
Guide.  New  edition.  4oc.  ;  cloth,  500. 

GRADUATED  DICTATION  BOOKS,  for  acquiring  Speed  in  Shorthand 
and  Typewriting.  Adapted  to  any  system.  The  reading  matter  is 
divided  on  a  new  and  improved  plan.  47  pages.  No.  i. — Political 
Speeches.  No.  2. — Sermons.  No  3. — Commercial.  ice.  each. 

KEY,  in  Shorthand,  to  the  Graduated  Dictation  Book,  Nos.   . 

PITMAN'S  INTERLINED  SPEED  PRACTICE  BOOKS  Nos.  iTT^d  3' 

.  The  books  are  ruled  throughout  in  faint  blue,  similar  to  an  ordinary 

note-book,  and  above  each  line  is  a  line  of  printed  matter  with  the 

phrases    indicated,    for    transcription    into  shorthand   by   the  user, 

jc.  each 
KEY,  in  Shorthand,  to  Interlined  Speed  Practice  Books,  Nos.  \. 

2  and  3.      An  exact  Shorthand   reproduction  of  the  printed  matter, 

The  SHORTHAND  COMMERCIAL  LETTER  WRITER;  a  GuidTto 

Commercial  Correspondence.  400.  ;  cloth,  soc. 

KEY  to  the  "  Shorthand  Commercial  Letter  Writer,"  containing 

all  the  letters  of  the  "Shorthand  Commercial  Letter  Writer"  in 
ordinary  type.  aoc.  ;  cloth,  4oc. 

The  SHORTHAND  COMMERCIAL  LETTER  WRITER  and  KEY 
in  one  vol.  Cloth,  6oc. 

OFFICE  WORK  in  SHORTHAND,  Specimens  of  Work  commonly  dic- 
tated to  Shorthand  Clerks,  in  Reporting  Style.  4oc.  ;  cloth,  5oc. 

KEY  to  "  Office  Work  in  Shorthand,"  containing  all  the  letters  in 
ordinary  type.  aoc,  ;  cloth,  4oc. 

OFFICE  WORK  in  SHORTHAND  and  KEY,  in  one  volume. 

Cloth,  6oc. 

PITMAN'S  COMMERCIAL  CORRESPONDENCE  in  SHORTHAND. 
A  series  of  model  business  letters  in  beautifully  engraved  Phono- 
graphy, and  covering  practically  the  whole  range  of  commercial  trans- 
actions. 224  pages,  cloth.  Price  8«c 

COMMERCIAL  CORRESPONDENCE  &  COMMERCIAL  ENGLISH. 
A  practical  Manual  of  Commercial  Correspondence,  forming  a  key  to 
"Commercial  Correspondence  in  Shorthand."  All  the  letters  _ are 
counted  for  shorthand  and  typewriting  speed  practice,  and  editions 
are  published  (see  page  1 1  of  this  catalogue)  in  French  and  German, 
corresponding  page  for  page.  Contains  a  complete  treatise  on 
Punctuation,  etc.  272  pages,  cloth.  Price  8jc. 

BUSINESS  CORRESPONDENCE  in  SHORTHAND.  (English  Editions.) 
Containing  172  original  letters  relating  to  correspondence  in  the  boot 
and  shoe,  cotton,  cycle,  electrical,  engineering,  flower,  tea,  lumber, 
wine,  and  other  trades.  400.  ;  cloth,  500 

KEY  to  above,  in  ordinary  type.  aoc. ;  cloth,  400. 


BUSINESS    CORRESPONDENCE    in     SHORTHAND    and    KEY. 

In  one  volume.  Cloth,  6oc. 

The  PHONOGRAPHIC  RAILWAY  PHRASE  BOOK  ;  an  adaptation  of 

Phonography  to  the  Requirements  of  Railway  Business.  2oc. 

The  PHONOGRAPHIC  LEGAL  PHRASE  BOOK ;  an  adaptation  ot 

Phonography  to  the  Requirements  ot  Legal  Business.  200. 

INSTRUCTION  in  LEGAL  WORK.  In  ordinary  type.  By  Henry  W, 

Thorne.     For  Court  Stenographers  and  Law  Students.     Reprinted 

from   "  Pitman's  Twentieth  Century  Dictation  and  Legal  Forms." 

MILITARY  PHRASE  BOOK  :  phrases  in  military  correspondence.    AOC. 

t  PHONOGRAPHIC  MEDICAL  OUTLINES;  a  list  of  outlines  for  about 
3,000  medical  terms.  Third  edition.  6oc. 

t  USE  of  SHORTHAND  by  the  MEDICAL  STUDENT.  Lithographed 
in  Phonography.  2OC. 

t  USE  of  SHORTHAND  by  the  MEDICAL  PRACTITIONER.  Litho- 
graphed in  Phonography.  200. 


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to  Foreign  Languages. 

t  SPANISH  PHONOGRAPHY ;  an  adaptation  of  Isaac  Pitman's  Phono- 
graphy to  the  Spanish  language.     Fourth  Edition  reprinted.       $1.25 
"  The  only  practical  work  of  the  kind.     There  being  a  great  demand  at 
the  present  time  for  stenographers  who  can  take  dictation  in   Spanish, 
those  who  use  the  Isaac  Pitman  system  enjoy  a  unique  advantage." — 
Chicago  Bookseller. 

t  FRENCH  PHONOGRAPHY;  an  adaptation  of  Phonography  to  the 
French  language.  By  T.  A.  Reed.  Third  edition.  Revised  and 
enlarged.  4oc. ;  cloth,  joe. 

GERMAN  PHONOGRAPHY  ;  an  adaptation  of  Phonography  to  the 
German  language.  soc.  ;  cloth,  6oc. 

MANUALE  DI  FONOGRAFIA  ITALIANA;    an  adaptation  ot  Phono- 
graphy to  the  Italian  language.     By  Giuseppe  Francini.  50*. 
DUTCH    PHONOGRAPHY;    an  adaptation  of  Phonography   to  the 
Dutch  language.     By  F.  De  Haan.                                                     $1.50 
PHONOGRAPHIA :    SEF    LLAW    FER    YN    OL    TREFN   ISAAC 
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Soc. 

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20C. 

48  pages          2oc. 
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PHONOGRAPHIC  READER.    With  Key.  aoc. 

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This  work  is  extremely  well  adapted  for   use  as  a  shorthand  reader, 
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VICAR  Of  WAKEFIELD.      Illustrated.    280  pages.        Soc. ;  cloth.  6oc. 


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REPORTER'S  READER.    Nos.  i  to  10.    32  pages.  isc.  each. 

BRIEF  REPORTING  NOTES  in  Shorthand,  or  Shorthand  Dicta- 
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THE  SIGN  OF  FOUR,  by  A.  Conan  Doyle.  171  pages,  joe.  ;  cloth.  6oc. 
WARREN  HASTINGS,  by  Lord  Macaulay.  163  pages.  500.  ;  cloth,  6oc. 
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The  LEGEND  Of  SLEEPY  HOLLOW,  by  Washington   Irving.    With 

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The  BIBLE  in  Shorthand,  containing  the  Old  and  New  Testaments. 

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The  NEW  TESTAMENT.    368  pages.    Roan,  red  edges,  $1.50 ;  Turkey 

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$1.50  ;  Turkey  morocco,  gilt  edges,  $2. 

The  CHURCH  SERVICES  (entire),  935  pages.     Roan,  $3 ;  morocco,  $4. 
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SELECTIONS   from    AMERICAN   AUTHORS,  containing   selection. 

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Pass  them.  2jc. 


8 

Shorthand    Periodicals. 

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oldest  and  only  weekly  periodical  (in  any  system)  in  existence  devoted 
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COURT     REPORTERS'     ENDORSEMENTS    OF 
ISAAC     PITMAN'S     PHONOGRAPHY. 


"My  partner  reported  a  very  sharply  contested  case  here  the  other 
y,  and  had  to  leave  town  to  report  another  case  as  I  was  also  engaged 


Herbert  Morris,  Court  Refarter,  Dallas,  Tex. 

'  I  acquired  the  rudiments  of  Isaac  Pitman's  shorthand  at  the  High 
School,  and  afterwards  pursued  the  study  of  it  by  myself,  and  so  success- 
fully that,  within  a  year's  time  I  was  deemed  capable  of  a  place  on  the 


I\  11/I1I[U'IUI    IlCUry    I11I1C    1IH.>I1  LIlr>,    ctllU    ICCCIVCU    Cm    till    clVGIclgC     It-'l      lll>     lcll'L'1  , 

between  $30.  and  $40.  a  week.  During  the  last  Congress  I  received  about 
$50.  a  week,  besides  $300.  at  the  end  of  the  first,  and  $800.  at  the  end  ot^ 
the  second  session ;  my  share  of  the  amount  voted  by  the  House  of 
Representatives,  as  a  compliment  to  the  first  full  report  of  its  proceed- 
ings."— JohnJ.  McElhone,  Official  Reporter,  U.  S.  House  of  Representa- 
tives, Washington  D.  C. 

SEND    FOR    "REASONS    WHY." 

Press  of  Isaac  Pitman  &•  Sons  Bath,  England. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


AUG  5     1951 


CIRC.  Dtr  - 


Form  L9-25m-9,'47(A5618)444 


UNIVERSITY  of  CALIFORNIA 

AT 

LOS  ANGELES 
LLBRARV 


A     000  573  691     3 


